Amaryllis grown on the windowsill blooms every year, a few secrets my friend quietly told me

I have a friend who is especially fond of growing amaryllis and has collected many varieties. Besides the common native amaryllis, he has also bought many imported varieties, with rich flower colors and varied forms, filling the whole windowsill and balcony. This time I asked him for advice on how to make potted amaryllis bloom year after year.

Amaryllis is a bulbous flower. Its root base has a swollen bulb, which grows a long flower stalk, and the flowers usually come in twos, which is why some people call it "pair red". If you live in a climate that is warm all year round, with the temperature staying above 5°C all year, then you can plant amaryllis in the yard.

Now most people like to grow amaryllis in pots. Each amaryllis needs a pot about 16-20 cm in diameter. It is best to choose a somewhat heavier pot, because the flower stalk is too heavy and the plant will fall over when the wind blows.

For beginners, I suggest using a red clay pot directly, because it has good breathability and drainage. Of course, you can choose a tile pot or a ceramic pot. Do not use a cement pot or a stone pot with poor drainage, and even more importantly, do not grow it in a container without drainage holes.

Growing amaryllis also requires suitable soil. It is best to use loose, fertile, well-draining humus soil or sandy soil. Avoid using heavy yellow clay soil or garden soil that easily compacts. You can mix common compost soil, peat soil and leaf mold, and add some river sand or perlite as appropriate. A little rotted manure or slow-release granular fertilizer can be placed at the bottom of the pot.

If you want amaryllis to bloom every year, you must not plant the bulb too deep. When the amaryllis bulb is planted in the potting soil, 1/3 of the bulb must be exposed above the soil surface. It cannot be planted too deep, otherwise it will not be able to bloom. This is extremely important.

After amaryllis is planted, it needs to be placed in a suitable location for care, with more light every day. Apart from appropriate shading in summer, it can be given plenty of light in the other seasons. Raised at home in a spot with plenty of scattered light every day, it can also grow well,

During the growth of amaryllis, also pay attention to turning the pot regularly to prevent the stems and leaves from growing crooked, so that the leaves grow more evenly, which also helps promote the growth of the flower stalk. Once the amaryllis flower buds have formed, avoid direct sunlight, as this can extend the flowering period.

Amaryllis generally blooms in winter and spring, and this also depends on the specific planting time. Amaryllis generally needs 6-8 weeks to bloom, and this also depends on the specific variety grown. It is generally planted in autumn and blooms in winter and spring.

If you want to encourage amaryllis to bloom again the next year, then you need to give it extra care, because the first year consumes a great deal of nutrients from the bulb. Without extra care, it may only grow stems and leaves the next year and be unable to form flowers.

After the flowers fade, cut them off when they are about to wither. The cutting position is about 3 cm down from the top of the flower stalk. After that, continue watering, giving water when the potting soil below is dry, and also pay attention to regularly supplementing with liquid fertilizer.

In this way, amaryllis can grow more leaves in spring and summer, producing enough energy to form flowers the next year. After the end of August, you should begin to control water. You can wait until the potting soil is completely dry before watering thoroughly. This can make its leaves wither, which helps the bulb store nutrients, so that it can better form flowers.

Of course, you can also dig up the amaryllis bulb during its dormant period, cut off its withered stems and leaves, and then place it in a dark, dry and cool place for storage for more than 8 weeks, so that the bulb can store enough nutrients.

When the weather becomes cooler in autumn, take the bulb out and plant it again. If you want it to bloom again, it needs 6-8 weeks. During the bulb care period, give plenty of scattered light and water regularly. At first, do not water too much. After you see more stems and leaves growing, increase watering. Also pay attention to giving a diluted organic fertilizer solution about once every 2 weeks. In this way, amaryllis can be kept blooming every year.