How Do You Prepare Amaryllis Plants For Winter?
The amaryllis is a flowering bulb native to the Andes Mountains of South America. It can only be grown outdoors year round in USDA zones 9 through 11. In other zones, it is grown in a pot and can be moved outdoors in the spring after the last frost, but the bulb must be brought back indoors in the fall. It is one of the easiest bulbs to force-bloom, and by following some simple directions, you can enjoy many years of beautiful flowers from the same bulb. Anytime after mid-August until the end of October, dig up your amaryllis bulb from its pot, brush off most of the dirt, cut the foliage off within an inch or two of the bulb and allow the bulb to dry. Put it in a cool, dark place with ample ventilation for a minimum of six to eight weeks, or until you’re ready to plant it again. To determine when to plant your amaryllis bulb, you must decide when you would like it to flower, and then count back eight weeks on the calendar. For example, if you want your amaryllis to bloom on or near Chr
