How to care for an amaryllis?

I planted an amaryllis several weeks ago. I have a lovely stem with what looks like a flower ready to bloom and some appropriate sized leaves. The flower head has been present for more than a week, when should it bloom? How should I be caring for this flower?

How to care for an amaryllis?
It'll bloom as soon as the flower capsule ripens and splits open... keep it cool to prolong the bloom life... Right after the flowers fade, cut the stem right beneath them and water and fertilize the plant and keep it in a sunny spot... Continue this whole summer long and when autumn arrives, decrease watering and stop fertilizing... the leaves start to fade, sending energy back in the bulb for another bloom... DO NOT REMOVE THE LEAVES BEFORE THIS!!!... Well... now... put the pot in a cold and dim place for about 2 months... then, bring it back inside and change 2 inch of the surface soil with fresh soil and water... You should have those lovely flowers once again... Good luck... Mine are just sending up buds... I love this flower too...
Reply:It will take quite a lot longer before it opens - be patient! The stem gets very tall, and even then the bud takes a long time to get round to opening. Water it regularly and feed it with plant food once a fortnight, and continue feeding for a few months after flowering has finished. The leaves will grow bigger and this will store goodness in the bulb ready for next year. Then let it dry out completely and have a rest through later summer and autumn. It will lose all its leaves and look dead. Early next Spring you can water it gently and it should start to grow again. It may start before you water it. Hope you succeed! I have had mine for 20 years and it has flowered nearly every year.