Red amaryllis (Hippeastrum Red Lion) is a popular amaryllis variety grown for the spectacular bright red blossoms produced once or twice yearly. This flowering bulb develops a 2-foot-tall stem with four massive lily-like flowers around two months after planting. Red amaryllis grows outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 to 10 or with mulch in zones 7 to 8. For this reason, the red amaryllis is often grown as a container plant in all other areas.
Instructions
1. Put the red amaryllis bulb in a bucket with tepid water for two hours before planting.
2. Use a pot that measures 1 to 2 inches wider than the width of the red amaryllis bulb. Use containers with drainage holes or make holes in them, if needed. Place the container on a drainage tray.
3. Fill the pot with a few inches of high-quality potting soil, or a mixture of potting soil and compost. Place a red amaryllis bulb in the middle of the pot.
4. Add soil around the bulb to cover the bottom half only, and then firm the soil. Leave at least 1 inch of space from the top of the pot to the top of the soil. Soak the soil with water to settle the bulb in place and then put the pot in a warm setting with temperatures of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Water the red amaryllis once a week, or as needed to maintain moist but not soggy soil. Place the pot in a sunny location when growth begins.
6. Apply a balanced water-soluble fertilizer, such as a houseplant type, once or twice monthly as directed on label. Turn the pot daily to ensure the flower stalk grows straight.
7. Move the red amaryllis to a location with indirect sunlight and temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit after the blossom appears to extend the bloom period.
8. Wait until the red amaryllis blossoms wither away, and then cut the flower stem 1 to 2 inches above the bulb. Do not cut the foliage on the plants, which is needed to replenish the bulb for the next bloom period.
9. Water the red amaryllis plant only when the top soil dries 1 inch down and fertilize monthly until mid-summer. After this time, you must force the plant to go dormant in order to get the red amaryllis to bloom again next season.
10. Place the red amaryllis in a low-lit, cool location and allow the foliage to die naturally. Cut off the dead foliage 2 inches above the bulb.
11. Remove the red amaryllis bulb from the soil and put the bulb in a paper bag. Keep the bulb in your refrigerator or other location with temperatures of 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two months.
Tips Warnings
The red amaryllis bulb will become sterile if placed in refrigerators that contain apples.
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