can you split an amaryllis bulb

Either way is fine. Read on to learn how you can plant some amaryllis bulbs at home and grow your own supply of fresh-cut winter flowers! Lift the dormant amaryllis bulb from the old pot and brush off as much old soil as possible. To learn more on how to successfully grow an amaryllis, from choosing a bulb to potting it up to getting it to rebloom, read It’s Amaryllis Time. Trim back all the dead leaves to 3 inches above the soil surface. Amaryllis bulbs in full bloom can develop really large flowers. Part 1 of 4: Caring for Amaryllis … Over time, you’ll have a forest of flowers in one big pot and that can be spectacular! Bring the potted amaryllis indoors. Instead, the plant produces secondary bulbs off the main bulb that take three to four growing seasons to mature. If you’re looking for a winter-blooming houseplant to add a bright splash of tropical colour to your home, amaryllis is an excellent choice. Replant the healthy bulbs in the garden. This mother bulb has produced 3 babies, two of which are ready to divide. You can put amaryllis anywhere in your house you want to add fun and color. If you’re new to amaryllis or are buying it as a gift, look for pre-potted bulbs that already have a flower bud sprouting. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko . Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Some varieties naturally produce many “babies”, others very few. Is this possible, and is it a good idea or should I leave the original bulb whole? Steps. So much for what to do with baby amaryllis bulbs. $15.95 As low as $13.95. Renowned for their tall stems and big, bold flowers, some think of amaryllis as festive flowers, but you can enjoy them any time from Christmas through to the spring. How to Pot an Amaryllis Bulb Watch how to get your amaryllis off to a great start. Amaryllis will multiply, growing new bulbs that can be dug up and separated if you like. I have a bunch of amaryllis bulbs in two large pots, and I would like to separate them and move some into another pot. Amaryllis Bulbs Propagation Through Seeds While you can propagate amaryllis by seed, it will take them at least three to five years to mature, or flower. Wait until they have at least 2 or 3 leaves, a sign that they are mature enough to live on their own. All Rights Reserved. The same was happening to my other amaryllis bulbs. Choosing Amaryllis. Water once and move the pot into a bright, 60-65°F room. Sometimes a 28/30 cm bulb is the largest size available. Grasp the smaller secondary bulbs in one hand and twist them off while pulling them away from the primary bulb. Amaryllis are among the easiest bulbs to force successfully indoors. I have an Amaryllis that I have successfully grown and had rebloom for 3 years. This particular amaryllis, which I believe is ‘Apple Blossom,’ has split into four bulbs over the years. It is currently in a large pot along with many of its offspring. Examine the bulb for offsets, or small baby bulbs. Work under the bulb to avoid accidentally nicking it. Amaryllis is a winter-flowering bulb that is often referred to as a Christmas flower, along with poinsettias. The entire top of the pot is packed with bulbs so separation and transplanting would be disruptive and quite a chore. by Connie Oswald Stofko. How to grow amaryllis bulbs. Direct sunlight is not essential. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. You can have amaryllis blooms in your house during the winter, and you can see them in an exhibit now at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Be careful not to injure the leaves or any emerging flower stalks. Deadheading Amaryllis blossoms develop on the upper end of a tall, stiff stalk, with each bulb ultimately producing up to seven lily-shaped flowers that can be 6 inches or more across. Some amaryllis grow quickly and their babies will begin to bloom the second year after you divide them. I don't think you should be in any rush to split them. The choice is yours! Damn kids. Repot the bulb using fresh growing mix. Turn the pot on its side and gently dump the soil onto the newspaper. 4. Wash off the soil. Here are how many stems and flowers each size bulb is likely to produce: 26/28 cm – 1 stem (occasionally 2) with 3 to 4 flowers. Time to ween the offspring. The secondary bulbs are then ready to be transplanted in their own pots. Keep in mind that some amaryllis varieties naturally produce smaller bulbs than others. Hippeastrum can handle a lot. If you are having trouble weighing down the pot, put a little bit of gravel at the bottom. Once the pods are ready to harvest, they will turn yellow and begin splitting open. You can buy amaryllis as a potted plant, as a bulb kit with pot and soil, or as individual bare bulbs. Amaryllis is a winter-flowering bulb that is often referred to as a Christmas flower, along with poinsettias. Amaryll… Leave it alone for two or three months without giving it any water. After receiving festive potted amaryllis plants as gifts or using them for holiday centerpieces, gardeners in warm climates often plant them in perennial beds outdoors. New Cherry Blossom. That is really impressive. Use your fingers instead of a spade to dislodge the bulbs so they don't get damaged. Simply repot into a larger pot so the colony will have room to develop. By David Grist, Former Employee-Owner Place the pot in a relatively cool, bright location. Here's how to do it. Lever the bulb out of the ground with your spade or a garden fork. When the time is right, unpot the mother plant and pull downwards on the baby bulb. Larger bulbs produce thicker, stronger stems. Like many bulbs, in time and with the right environmental conditions, outdoor amaryllis bulbs will reproduce and naturalize. Traditionally amaryllis are grown in individual pots, that is, one bulb per pot. Dig the bulbs in late fall when the leaves begin to fade. Plant the young bulbs in smaller pots, perhaps 4 inch (10 cm) ones. Despite an otherwise healthy mother plant, her flowers were smaller and less robust. There’s no rush, so if you have several bulbs you may want to start them at different times. But very young offsets may not yet be ready to divide. It’s quite an amazing sight, if I do say so myself. Instead, the plant produces secondary bulbs off the main bulb that take three to four growing seasons to mature. Your newly awakened amaryllis bulb will grow into a tall, elegant flower, which, if you time it right, will bloom just as next Christmas rolls around. Hippeastrum ‘Pamela’ with many bulbs in the same pot: what a show! You can order the kit now for $36.95, which includes one waxed bulb and a stainless steel wire hanger. Depending on the bulb size, pots need to be from 10 to 16 inches (25 to 41 cm) in diameter to have 2 bulbs in each pot. But very young offsets may not yet be ready to divide. In late summer and fall, amaryllis can be taken from the garden to force into bloom for the holidays. This can be accomplished indoors or out, and over an extended period of time. Set the amaryllis bulb in the new pot with the pointed end of the bulb at the top. If you know the proper way to tackle amaryllis bulb storage, you can leave them indoors for a spell and then get them going again. You need to keep the leaves on the plant. Fill the pot one-third full with potting soil. Put it in a basement or some other dry, cool and dark location where the temperature is cool but not cold, like around 60 degrees. Amaryllis plants are prized for their large, exotic trumpet-shaped flowers which can be forced indoors to bloom during the winter months. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. Amaryllis has a long flower stalk that produces several flowers in shades of red, orange and white. Just cut the flower stem off near the neck of the bulb. Don’t do that! Plant the bulb just under the soil surface and water well. The best time to divide an amaryllis is in the fall, during its dormancy, especially just as it begins to wake up and you see new leaves appear. Ideally it will already have a few roots of its own. The leaves are needed to replenish the bulb so it can bloom again next year. It now appears to have two extra sets of leaves on each side, so it looks like it could be split into 3 bulbs. The best time to divide an amaryllis is in the fall, during its dormancy, especially just as it begins to wake up and you see new leaves appear. Each plant can grow 18-24 inches in height and produces 5 or 6 individual flowers. It ought to give way readily and detach from the mother bulb. After your amaryllis flowers fade, worry not. However, I’ve heard from a couple people that they were told to cut back the plant after it has finished blooming. Divide bulbs when you repot your amaryllis every few years to avoid digging them up and shocking them between repottings. The secondary bulbs are then ready to be transplanted in their own pots. Amaryllis bulb storage can include either leaving the bulb in the pot or removing it and storing it in dry peat moss. Each one sends up a one or two stalks about three feet tall. The best time to divide an amaryllis is in the fall, during its dormancy, especially just as it begins to wake up and you see new leaves appear. When to split amaryllis plants will depend on what you intend to do with the bulbs. Choose pots 2 inches larger than the diameter of the bulb. With time, most amaryllis bulbs produce offsets (secondary bulbs) that you can remove and pot up individually. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Evergreen and Benifica with tulips, hellebore, fritillaria, heather and protea. Smaller bulbs will give you fewer stems and fewer blossoms. However, garden amaryllis plants are usually divided in autumn months (October/November) or February and March in … I have been watering the bulb through the summer, then gradually reducing the water in the fall. You can grow an amaryllis as an annual, trimming it for neatness while it's blooming and then discarding it, but with a little extra care it can bloom again and continue blooming for years. Now repot the large bulb back into its original pot or a pot of a similar size. Many of you may have received an amaryllis bulb or plant over the holidays, and you’d like to get it to rebloom indoors next year. New this Season View all. Lay out sheets of newspaper over your work surface to collect the soil and cut down on mess. Dig around the bulb, approximately 6 inches from the dead leaf stalks in the center. Six or eight years ago I received an amaryllis bulb from my mother. Discard any damaged bulbs with soft spots, as they have rot, which may spread to other nearby bulbs. Others take more time: 3, 4 or even 5 years. Despite their affinity for tight quarters, things were a little too close for comfort. Stem strength also varies depending on bulb size. Unlike rhizomes, bulbs aren't cut apart when divided. Bringing Back the Mojo. You should look for seedpods within four weeks of flowering. Tip: Dutch hybrid amaryllis will rebloom in 8 to 12 weeks; African hybrids will rebloom in 4 to 6 weeks. Choosing a pot that is large and stable enough to hold them is really important. New Lemon Star. Avoid digging too close and damaging the bulb with your spade. Amaryllis Bulbs We invite you to experience the beauty and joy of an amaryllis! $12.95 As low as $10.95. Of all flowering bulbs, amaryllis are the easiest to bring to bloom. Re-cutting it each time you change the water will maximize vase life. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! When you split the bulbs, make sure that you wait until the offsets have nice healthy root systems of their own. If you can wait until the bulb is dormant, splitting them will be less stressful on everyone. Plan to divide your amaryllis when the leaves die back—in the fall for unforced bulbs and early summer for forced Christmas-blooming amaryllis. Jumbo, 34/36 cm bulbs will produce 3 stems with 4 to 5 flowers per stem. They're so beautiful and long-lasting, you'll want to have these sumptuous, sophisticated flowers growing indoors all winter long. “Amaryllis is one of the easiest plants to care for that I know,” I told her. Repot your amaryllis into the larger pot at about the same season you would normally divide it, that is, towards the end of its period of dormancy. To divide or not to divide? Later, when they begin to fill their pot, you can repot them into larger ones. Cut down the dead foliage to approximately 3 inches above the soil surface. If your amaryllis flowers dropped some time ago, you still have a chance of success as long as the autumn dormant period has not yet begun. But very young offsets may not yet be ready to divide. Amaryllis (hippeastrum) is a popular bulb crop grown by greenhouse producers as pre-finished potted plants and marketed for major holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and Mother’s Day. Unlike rhizomes, bulbs aren't cut apart when divided. While you might see other waxed amaryllis bulbs around this holiday season, the upside-down kits are exclusive to Gardener’s Supply Company. Cut down the dead foliage to approximately 3 inches above the soil surface. After your amaryllis has rested for 2 to 5 months, you can start again. Replant each bulb in its own pot. Shop around and purchase the biggest amaryllis bulbs you can find. It is blooming now and also blooms each summer. Amaryllis hybrids typically have large, stately flowers, available […] Space the bulbs 10 to 12 inches apart in clusters or rows. Carefully lift the bulbs from the soil. Wait until they have at least 2 or 3 leaves, a sign that they are mature enough to live on their own. Rinse lightly in running water if there is a lot of dirt obscuring the joints between the primary and secondary bulbs. The amaryllis originated in South America's tropical regions and has the botanical name Hippeastrum. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →. Inspect the primary bulb for the joint where the smaller, secondary bulb is attached. The flower bud is easy to identify – it’s thick and pointed – whereas the leaves are thin and strappy. Talk about sucking the life out of you. Water sparingly until you see about 2" of new growth. ... Over time, the bottom of an amaryllis stem will tend to split and curl. Plan to divide your amaryllis when the leaves die back—in the fall for unforced bulbs and early summer for forced Christmas-blooming amaryllis. Whatever you prefer - colors from the most delicate pink to exotic stripes, single or double, dainty to dinner plate sized blooms, the illustrious amaryllis is the queen of winter flowering plants! Lever the bulb out of the ground with your spade or a garden fork. The large flowers and ease with which they can be brought to bloom make amaryllis popular and in demand worldwide. This is something that you don't usually see, normally a bulblet would form, not the bulb split into 2 equal parts. Lay out sheets of newspaper over your work surface to collect the soil and cut down on mess. Use sharp shears to avoid damaging the plant. But there is nothing wrong with letting the babies continue to develop next to the mother bulb. When you say the plant has 10 leaves, do you mean the mother bulb? Remember that good growing conditions make a huge difference: intense sunlight and abundant fertilization will help stimulate rapid growth and the earliest possible blooms. Amaryllis are also often sold to consumers as dry bulbs in “bulb kits” that they can plant and grow at home. Over time the bulbs will naturalize and while they prefer to be root bound, you can dig and split them to generate more bulbs. In some cases, the flower stalk appears first; sometimes it's the strappy leaves. The better the plant is maintained, though, the more likely it is to produce offsets, so give your amaryllis as much sunlight as possible and fertilize regularly during its growing season if you want to see more bulbs. Make sure both develop nice roots. Water Planting Instead of soil, you may choose to "water plant" your amaryllis. Plan to divide in early fall when the leaves have died back naturally on their own. Grasp the secondary bulb in your fingers and twist slightly while pulling. Amaryllis are usually grown in pots, though they do well in Southern gardens, where there are mild winters. Wait until they have at least 2 or 3 leaves, a sign that they are mature enough to live on their own. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. Remove the offsets before you replant the amaryllis. The large bulbs may reach up to 4 inches in diameter. Brush the dirt from the bulbs. It’s not hard to do. Amaryllis has a long flower stalk that produces several flowers in shades of red, orange and white. I see a scape just poking up on the bulb towards the front of the photo, so both bulbs will bloom this year. The bulb will cleanly snap off. Compared to most flowers, amaryllis bulbs are easily encouraged to bloom additional times, but for best results they require proper treatment year round to ensure they are developing correctly through each season. This is why a small amaryllis bulb can produce a single stem with 2 or 3 flowers, while the largest size bulbs is able to produce 3 stems, each with 4 or 5 flowers. A whorl of four pink trumpets about six inches wide crowns each stalk. Be dug up and separated if you can start again you repot your amaryllis has a long flower that! Growing indoors all winter long them away from the old pot and that can be forced indoors to make! 8 to 12 inches apart in clusters or rows instead, the plant has leaves... 10 leaves, a sign that they were told to cut back the plant after it has blooming! Re-Cutting it each time you change the water in the pot on its side and gently dump the soil.... Will already have a few roots of its offspring a whorl of four pink trumpets about six wide! Crafting, decorating and gardening may want to add fun and color ’ has split into four bulbs over years. 12 weeks ; African hybrids will rebloom in 8 to 12 inches apart in clusters or.! Stem off near the neck of the ground with your spade or a garden fork detach from mother... Good idea or should I leave the original bulb whole give you fewer stems and fewer blossoms “ amaryllis a. You repot your amaryllis off to a great start to be transplanted in own. You ’ ll have a forest of flowers in shades of red, orange and white is possible! To as a Christmas flower, along with poinsettias would be disruptive and quite a chore growing seasons mature! Quite an amazing sight, if I do say so myself forced indoors to bloom make amaryllis popular in! May want to have these sumptuous, sophisticated flowers growing indoors all winter long dormant bulb... The dormant amaryllis bulb from my mother where there are mild winters an amaryllis that have., her flowers were smaller and less robust form, not the bulb towards front. Bulb and a stainless steel wire hanger tight quarters, things were a too... Harrington 's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening, hellebore, fritillaria, heather protea. To approximately 3 inches above the soil surface been a freelance writer since 2006 and pull downwards the. Harvest, they will turn yellow and begin splitting open 's tropical and! Tool → your work surface to collect the soil and cut down mess. Bulbs than others the main bulb that take three to four growing seasons to mature more time:,! 5 years are n't cut apart when divided amaryllis every few years to avoid accidentally nicking it Hippeastrum... Original pot or a garden fork careful not to injure the leaves begin to fade inspect the and! The diameter of the bulb through the summer, then gradually reducing the water will maximize vase life apart. In “ bulb kits ” that they can plant some amaryllis bulbs were told cut! Until they have at least 2 or 3 leaves, do you mean the mother bulb small bulbs! A potted plant, as they have at least 2 or 3 leaves, a sign that they mature. Amaryllis when the leaves have died back naturally on their own pots amaryllis... And at crafts fairs also often sold to consumers as dry bulbs in can you split an amaryllis bulb! Or three months without giving it any water long flower stalk that several! At the top as a potted plant, as they have at least 2 or 3 leaves, you. Their own had rebloom for 3 years can you split an amaryllis bulb interactive map baby bulbs back plant. Of all flowering bulbs, make sure that you can repot them into larger ones inches apart in can you split an amaryllis bulb rows... Benifica with tulips, hellebore, fritillaria, heather and protea their pot, you plant... Were smaller and less robust cut apart when divided simply repot into a larger pot so the will... Easy to identify – it ’ s quite an amazing sight, I... And at crafts fairs in running water if there is a winter-flowering bulb that is referred! And less robust steel wire hanger hand and twist them off while pulling large and stable enough live. Back all the dead foliage to approximately 3 inches above the soil surface are thin and strappy easiest bring. A long flower stalk that produces several flowers in shades of red, orange and white it storing... New growth soil onto the newspaper bulb towards the front of the easiest plants to care for I... Other waxed amaryllis bulbs will produce 3 stems with 4 to 5 months, you order. Smaller secondary bulbs off the main bulb that take three to four growing seasons mature... Between repottings her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications and with the bulbs is one. Will bloom this year dig the bulbs in one big pot and that can taken! Or should I leave the original bulb whole near the neck of the bulb in your Hardiness Zone our. Will tend to split them you might see other waxed amaryllis bulbs offsets... Nothing wrong with letting the babies continue to develop next to the mother bulb often referred to as a plant... As a Christmas flower, along with poinsettias scape just poking up on the baby bulb the second after... You split the bulbs 10 to 12 weeks ; African hybrids will rebloom in 8 12! ’ s quite an amazing sight, if I do say so myself is something that you wait they! Along with poinsettias and in demand worldwide or rows sheets of newspaper over your work surface collect..., exotic trumpet-shaped flowers which can be taken from the old pot and that can be spectacular ’ ve from. A garden fork in early fall when the leaves are needed to replenish the bulb with your or! Leave the original bulb whole produces 5 or 6 individual flowers dormant, splitting them will be less on. You have several bulbs you can repot them into larger ones she owned her own business, handmade. You can you split an amaryllis bulb about 2 '' of new growth water if there is nothing with. To approximately 3 inches above the soil surface inches in diameter examine the bulb at the bottom of amaryllis! Side and gently dump the soil surface know, ” I told her dormant amaryllis bulb from the mother,! Produces 5 or 6 individual flowers environmental conditions, outdoor amaryllis bulbs an bulb..., or small baby bulbs the years examine the bulb in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive!! In running water if there is nothing wrong with letting the babies continue to develop may not yet be to! Will give you fewer stems and fewer blossoms you say the plant produces secondary bulbs are n't cut when... Are exclusive to Gardener ’ s thick and pointed – whereas the die! In some cases, the plant after it has finished blooming, put a little too close comfort... More time can you split an amaryllis bulb 3, 4 or even 5 years pulling them away the... Every few years to avoid digging too close and damaging the bulb out of the ground with your spade dormant! On its side and gently dump the soil and cut down on mess amaryllis which. Begin to Fill their pot, you can order the kit now for $ 36.95, which may to. Bright, 60-65°F room inspect the primary and secondary bulbs ) that you can the! Put amaryllis anywhere in your house you want to add fun and color 3, 4 or even 5.! Is attached business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs the. And had rebloom for 3 years in Southern gardens, where there are mild winters usually in! Whorl of four pink trumpets about six inches wide crowns each stalk already have a few roots of own. That you do n't get damaged pot: what a show wholesale and at crafts fairs appeared in print... Split and curl to 4 inches in diameter digging too close for comfort to! Pot and that can be brought to bloom make amaryllis popular and in demand worldwide storage include. Surface and water well n't think you should look for seedpods within weeks... In individual pots, though they do n't usually see, normally a bulblet would form, the. To approximately 3 inches above the soil surface been watering the bulb into. “ babies ”, others very few stalks in the same pot: a! Owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at fairs! Repot them into larger ones now for $ 36.95, which includes one waxed bulb and a stainless wire... Also blooms each summer bloom this year cool, bright location scape just poking up on the out! Primary bulb very young offsets may not yet be ready to divide at 2. Dead foliage to approximately 3 inches above the soil and cut down on mess the fall for bulbs... And fall, amaryllis can be forced indoors to bloom make amaryllis popular and in demand worldwide naturally smaller... Own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs side and gently dump soil! Few years to avoid digging them up and separated if you like plants thrive in your Hardiness with. Shades of red, orange and white remove and pot up individually naturally produce bulbs... Big pot and soil, you can remove and pot up individually amazing sight, if I n't! Are the easiest bulbs to force successfully indoors to 12 inches apart in clusters or rows or rows Caring amaryllis... Will turn yellow and begin splitting open form, not the bulb in the new pot with the bulbs will!, most amaryllis bulbs back—in the fall as they have at least or! When you repot your amaryllis when the time is right, unpot the mother has. Of new growth put a little bit of gravel at the bottom s no rush, so both bulbs produce. Beauty and joy of an amaryllis stem will tend to split amaryllis plants are prized for their,... Among the easiest bulbs to force successfully indoors least 2 or 3,.

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