Happy New Year from Bradley!
I was sound asleep the other day when Bradley stopped by on his way out of town. He left us a gorgeous amaryllis and told Nyel that he’d be back next weekend.
“What else did he say?” I asked.
“That he wanted his pot back.”
When I finally dragged myself out to the living room (did I mention that I was and am still in the weepy-feeling-sorry-for-myself stage on a nasty winter cold?) I could see why. It is a lovely pot and, as I recall, matches several others that held similar amaryllis plants at Bradley’s Christmas dinner. They sat near his Christmas tree and, at least for me, took all the attention away from any other holiday decorations. They were spectacular.
Christmas Day at Bradley’s
Now that my head is “filled with cotton wool” (as my grandmother used to describe this muzzy-brain feeling that a winter cold brings on) I can’t remember what Bradley told me about those gorgeous plants. I’m pretty sure he said that he dug them up from his garden. But when I told Nyel that (just this morning) he said, “But I thought they were tropical plants…”
So did I. Must be global warming. So, of course, I went to my trusty computer and see that they can, indeed, be grown here. And the bulbs can be saved and they will live to grow again next year! This is what one site said about aftercare:
Luscious Amaryllis Blossom
After winter bloom, if you want to rebloom your amaryllis, it’s quite simple. When blooms fade, cut off the tubular flower stems near the top of the bulb, leaving the foliage to continue growing. Water as usual and apply water-soluble fertilizer every four weeks. Once spring arrives and frost is past, sink the amaryllis pot in the garden in a sunny place. Continue to fertilize. At the end of the summer when frost threatens, simply pull the pot out of the ground, wash it out, and take it inside, and allow it to dry out completely in a warm dry place like a utility room. Once the leaves are dead and the bulb dry (usually 5 to 6 weeks), the bulb is ready for repotting. Simply cut off the dry leaves, and repot your bulb in fresh potting soil and start the growing cycle again.
“Aha!” thought I. “sink the amaryllis pot in the garden in a sunny place. Perhaps that’s why Bradley wants the pot back – the pot AND the bulb, as well.”
I’d dearly love to have a few amaryllis plants in this garden and planting the pot sounded like the easiest way… I’m feeling a bit more human today and, all things being equal, I’ll see Bradley next weekend and can ask for clarification on the pot situation. Meanwhile, what a treat to enjoy these gorgeous blooms!
I had no idea that these would re-bloom. I liked having an Amaryllis in my classroom because it grew so rapidly. It was great during the unit on measurement. I wonder if plants are allowed in classrooms these days!