HELP, I received a Christmas Amaryllis for, what else, Christmas. It bloomed beautifully, but now is starting

to die, can I save it for next year, and if so, HOW? I have quite a few amaryllis out in the yard and they bloom every early summer, But I would really like to keep this one special for the holidays. Please serious answers would be greatly appreciated. By the way I live in Ark so the weather here is not to severe. Thanks

HELP, I received a Christmas Amaryllis for, what else, Christmas. It bloomed beautifully, but now is starting
Don't freeze it. Let the leave grow but cut off the stalk. Put it in a sunny window and outside in the sun if possible. The leaves need to accumulate energy for the next flowering. By July or August the leaves will start to yellow. Cut them of then, stop watering and put it away in a cool (not cold) room. DONT water it. In November or December start watering again. It should bloom if it has had enough sun.
Reply:I think if you put it in the freezer you will kill it. It has got to be a tropical plant.





Follow the second guy's advice.
Reply:Hello -





Please dont put this in the fridge!!! An amaryllis (Hippeastrum sp) ARE sub/tropical plants and do not require the refridgeration period as cold-weather bulbs (such as Hyacinths, some Narcissus, etc). Whatever you do -- do not subject your plant to cold climates.





A plan of attack:


- Let the plant flower and begin to develop its leaf growth till about July or so;


- During (the above) period keep it well fed and watered - you can (and should) remove the dead flower head so no energy goes into producing seeds from the plant;


- After your glory of letting the plant get all the water and (liquid) fertilizer you can give it - begin to hold back on the water and eventually let it completely dry out (till about late August);


- At this point, either re-pot it or remove the bulb (if in the ground) - but, you still want to keep it dry and COOL (not cold);


- When you are somewhat ready to begin entertaining seeing the flowers again, resume the cycle of consistent watering and returning the bulb (now in fresh soil) to warmer climate (or, indoors);


- By this time, it should be late Oct/Nov and should be ready to bloom again.





Follow this advice and the plant will keep blooming for years and may continue to multiply - or, increase in size so that it supports multiple plant stalks. My amaryllis have 3-4 flower stalks on each and the bulbs are HUGE -- if you treat them right they will continue to reward you with more each year.





Good luck,


Chris
Reply:O.K. well I live in Northern Montana. The weather is VERY severe here, so we wouldn't even THINK of planting an Amaryllis outside.


Here is what I do...........


I have had this bulb for several years. When it is finished blooming, cut the foliage down to the bulb. Then water as usual.


Pretty soon it will start to grow foliage and then a couple of weeks after that...........you have a bloom.


This has worked for me time and time again.


However I have yet to keep it on a Christmas schedule. For instance my "Christmas" blooming is just now beginning to fade. It started blooming two weeks ago.


Good luck!
Reply:i work in activities at work. the answer is simple. cut the top off of the plant and put the bulb in the freezer till next year. it will bloom again and again. it needs a dormant time before it will flower again. if you live in a cold climate, you could even put it outside to freeze.
Reply:Listen to Sassy Sue, she is absolutely correct on this