When most people think of festive Christmas plants, they often picture the traditional Christmas tree and the red poinsettia. But another easy-to-grow plant can also provide holiday seasonal color with large, showy flowers that make a bold statement and would be a welcome addition to one’s repertoire for the holiday season.
That flower is the amaryllis, and it has become very popular at box stores and garden centers as a holiday gift. Amaryllis features bulbs of the genus Hippeastrum that are native to tropical and subtropical regions. Many festive varieties of amaryllis are available, and their stories can often be associated with Christmas themes. For example, a hybrid amaryllis, ‘St. Joseph’s Staff,’ was introduced in the 16th century. St. Joseph’s Staff is a reference to the story of how St. Joseph was chosen to become the husband to the Virgin Mary after his staff sprouted several red amaryllis flowers during the selection process conducted by a high priest.
Their history of cultivation dates back more than 200 years. A young doctor Eduard Poeppig from Germany became one of the first Europeans to come across the amaryllis. Poeppig was on a plant hunting expedition and spotted a vibrant flower growing in the Andes Mountains of Chile. The name amaryllis flowers is derived from Greek Mythology. Amaryllis is the name of a Greek shepherdess which means “Sparkling.” The amaryllis later reached Europe, where it was hybridized by the Dutch.
Amaryllis are usually sold several ways: pre-potted, as separate bulbs, or in kits complete with soil and a pot ready for assembly. The pre-potted amaryllis is the easiest to grow — just add water and keep it in a warm location that receives at least four hours of direct sunlight, like a south facing window. Once the flower bud stalk is about eight inches, you can move the plant into a cooler location to slow its growth.
If you buy bulbs separately, you will want to pot them in containers just slightly wider than the bulb using a standard potting soil. There should be an inch between the bulb and side of the pot. Amaryllis like to be slightly crowded to have optimum flower growth. Plant the bulb at a depth so that the top third is exposed; the potting mix should end up about one inch below the lip of the pot rim allowing space for watering. Water your plants when the potting soil is dry to the touch. Do not overwater — this will result in the bulb rotting. When purchasing bulbs, pick the largest and firmest, as these will give you multiple flower stalks.
After your amaryllis has flowered, you can remove the spent flower stalks several inches above the bulb. Continue to water regularly throughout the spring and summer. Around September, let the pot dry out, and the leaves will start to die. Once the leaves have died, remove them and place the potted bulb in a cool dark place. The bulb is now dormant and needs to rest for at least six weeks. After six weeks, you can start watering and treat it as when you first got it for the holiday season.
“A gardener must not feel sorry for himself, even in winter, and no matter how great the cause.” –Henry Mitchell, The Essential Earthman, 1981
Craig Dupée is a garden-design consultant. He lives in Ewing with his wife and daughters. Send him your email questions at hort1014u@aol.com.
