The aesthetics of winter, with its piles of dirty snow and leafless trees, can make you miss the warmer months. However, by planting an amaryllis bulb, you can bring a bit of spring right to your windowsill. Amaryllis usually blooms in winter, so planting it is a great way to brighten up your home during the cold months and start the year with a cheerful heart. And if you follow our advice on how to water amaryllis, you can reuse the same plant year after year and enjoy its blooms every winter.
How to water amaryllis for magnificent bloom?
With its large, intensely colored flowers, the amaryllis brightens up the dull winter. They are particularly popular as potted plants and cut flowers during the Christmas and Advent seasons. Since they require different conditions in each of their growth phases, their care is very demanding. In this guide you will find all the information you need to water your plant correctly.
Should you water amaryllis from above or below?
Some plants prefer to be watered from below, others prefer to be watered from above. To yoursCaring for amaryllis properly, you should water them from above. Amaryllis should not be placed in water-soaked soil as this often leads to fungal infestation and other problems.
How much water does an amaryllis need?
The amaryllis needs enough water to moisten the soil. The pot must have adequate drainage for water to flow through. Any water that has not been absorbed after about ten minutes must be removed. Use enough water so that the top layer of soil is moist but not soaked.
How often should you water amaryllis?
Amaryllis do not like to sit in water, so you need to make sure that you water the plant regularly. Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. You should also water more often in summer than in winter, as the water evaporates more quickly.
How often you water depends on the pot size, ambient temperature, and stage of growth of the plant.
After watering the plant, you should wait until the soil is completely dry (the first 2 cm) before watering it again. You can measure this with your finger. An amaryllis in an average household therefore usually needs to be watered at least once a week. Note that this “once a week” limit for watering amaryllis is a very rough guideline. Your particular plant may need water more often or less often.
Finger test for soil moisture content
Insert your index finger into the plant soil up to the first knuckle, about 2 cm. If the soil is moist, your finger should come out of the pot with dirt on it. Even light dirt is a sign that the soil is moist and contains enough water for your amaryllis.
However, if your finger comes out of the soil without dirt, it is too dry and you need to water your plant.
Watering frequency after flowering
After your knight's star has finished blooming, remove the spent flowers and cut back the stems, leaving the leaves to continue to grow. Water enough to keep the soil moist and fertilize with a bulb plant fertilizer.
In summer you can place the amaryllis in a sunny spot outdoors.
In late summer, bring the bulb indoors and reduce watering to allow the bulb to dry out.
Remove the shriveled leaves and place the pot in a cool, dark place, such as a kitchen. B. in a cellar or closet for 8 weeks.
When should you water amaryllis bulbs?
Fully grown amaryllis plants with leaves and flower stems naturally require more water than a bare bulb.
An amaryllis bulb should only be watered at the end of the dormant period because watering the bulb stimulates new growth. The onion is only watered when the top 2 cm of soil is dry. An amaryllis bulb should never be moistened when it is dormant.
Begin watering the amaryllis when the bulb leaves the dormant stage. New shoots appear on the bulb, indicating that a new phase of growth has begun. If no new growth occurs after 2-3 months of dormancy, you should water the amaryllis bulb to force it. During the growth phase, the plant needs to be watered regularly.
Amaryllis watering schedule for timely bloom during the holidays
Amaryllis need at least 8 weeks of rest before they bloom. About the plants for the holidaysto make it bloom, you should stop watering them from the beginning of September and keep them in a dark place. At the end of October you should water them again and place them in a warm room.
