Melinda’s Beginner’s Guide: Amaryllis & Paperwhites

Brighten those gray winter days with a few easy care colorful amaryllis and paperwhites. It’s as simple as planting, watering and waiting for the flowers to appear. You’ll find lots of options that ensure success no matter your gardening experience. And you’ll want to stock up as these also make great gifts for anyone on your holiday list.

For busy or reluctant gardeners consider purchasing waxed amaryllis bulbs. The wax covering seals in all the water and nutrients the amaryllis needs to grow and flower. No need to plant it in soil or water. Just set it in a bright location out of direct sunlight and watch it grow. Gardeners and non-gardeners will find this amazing and the flowers are sure to please.

Add a festive touch with a cozy, amaryllis sweater. A waxed bulb is nestled in each woven sweater… sure to make you smile.

You’ll also find more traditional options like potted amaryllis that are ready to take home and grow. If you want a bit more hands on experience purchase one of the amaryllis kits. These include a container, potting mix and bulb. You’ll have all you need to grow one of these blooming beauties.

For the DIYers in the group, purchase the bulbs and any supplies needed to create your own amaryllis garden.  Pasquesi has large premium bulbs that provide the biggest and longest floral display. One jumbo bulb can send up multiple flower stems over several weeks… providing loads of enjoyment.

Grow your amaryllis in a quality potting mix. Plant a single bulb in a pot that is 7 to 8 inches deep and 5 to 6 inches across with drainage holes. Or, group several bulbs together in a larger container.

Plant amaryllis bulbs at the proper depth, leaving the top half above the soil surface. Dress up your planting by covering the soil surface with moss or decorative stones.

Water the potting mix thoroughly and place the container in a cool sunny location. Continue to water thoroughly but only often enough to keep the soil barely moist. Water more often once sprouts appear.

Or go soilless. Place several inches of pebbles in the bottom of a glass vase or watertight container. Cover the pebbles with water. Set the bulb on top of the pebbles adding more stones around the bulb to hold it in place.  Leave at least the top half of the bulb exposed. Add water as needed to maintain the water level just below the bulb.

Be patient as it can take a month or more for flowers to appear. Maximize your enjoyment by placing your amaryllis where you can watch the daily transformation as the first stem breaks through the soil until the flowers unfurl.

Paperwhites are just as easy to grow and provide fragrance as well as beauty. Purchase firm bulbs to plant and enjoy in your home or give as gifts.

Start by filling a shallow watertight container with sterile pea gravel, pebbles or marbles. Add just enough water to reach the top of the stones. Place 5 or more bulbs close together on top of the gravel. Secure the bulbs by covering the bottom of the bulbs with more pebbles as needed. Maintain the water level just below the bottom of the bulbs.

Place the bulbs in a cool location, 50 to 60 degrees, for several weeks so the bulbs develop roots. Move the potted paperwhites to a cool sunny location as soon as leaves appear.

Brighter light and cool temperatures help reduce floppiness. Or try this technique tested by Cornell University. Once the leaves are 2 inches tall replace the plain water with a mixture of one cup 80-proof clear liquor in 7 cups of water. The alcohol stunts the plants encouraging more compact growth. Don’t overdo or you will damage the plants.

You can also plant the bulbs in a well-drained potting mix. Use a shallow container with drainage holes. Plant so the tops of the bulbs are exposed. Water thoroughly and often enough to keep the potting mix moist, but not wet.

Or force individual bulbs in specially designed glass vases. Fill the bottom with water and set the bulb in the upper cup. Keep the water just below the bulb and watch as roots appear and the bulb breaks into flower. Perfect for adding flowers and fragrance to small spaces.

Use your flowering bulbs as centerpieces, to brighten a tabletop and dress up a fireplace mantle. Share the beauty by gifting a few to family and friends. They’ll appreciate this beautiful gift that doesn’t need dusting.

Written by Melinda Myers. Melinda is a nationally recognized gardening expert with more than 30 years of horticulture experience.  She is a wealth of knowledge and we are pleased to share Melinda’s Beginners Guide with you!