The houseplant of the season, amaryllis are gorgeous and easy to grow

This is sort of an anniversary for me. On this week many years ago, I wrote my first column. It was then called “Petal Power,” accompanied by a great drawing done by a friend named Tom Powers. The subject was poinsettias. I may not like them, but they have helped me in the past!

If I was writing that column now, I would write about amaryllis. If ever there was a plant that should please any reader and convince them their new columnist was going to make muster, it is an amaryllis. If you are old enough to get the references, Lenore Hedla and Mann Leiser reigned in the garden column world back then. I was the newcomer who had to keep up with the adults.

Of course, the loyal reader knows there are a few things I push year in and year out. Getting grow lights to use in the winter is one of those. Being an organic yardener is another. Enjoying a plant that costs less than $10 and is as impressive as they get? This is why amaryllis bulbs are right up there with my other standard bearers. That is why I write of them so often.

Admittedly, there is nothing easier to grow than an amaryllis. Just add water, as I always say. That isn’t meant to denigrate or detract from it being a great houseplant. Nor is there anything, I argue, that produces more impressive flowers than an amaryllis, trumpet shaped and 4, 5 and even 6 inches across.

Of course, back in 1976 amaryllis bulbs were not available. You might find them offered by a seed catalog, but they were expensive, required shipping if the company would even ship to Alaska. They were not promoted at all. Today you will find boxes of amaryllis bulbs almost everywhere from supermarkets to hardware stores.

Moreover, the amaryllis has not been “claimed” by any of the winter holidays, but rather them all. They will be for sale clear through Easter.

If you don’t have any amaryllises already, take advantage of their ubiquitous availability and buy some this winter. Take the pot out of the box, water the growing medium, place under those lights (see) I insist on or place it by a window. Step back and let it grow.

If you have previous years’ bulbs, they need eight weeks of dormancy to ensure reflowering. These are tropical bulbs, so they don’t need cold, cold storage. Nor do they need darkness, though both coolness and darkness will help ensure dormancy. Withhold water and let leaves die back.

If you don’t give amaryllises sufficient dormant time, you will get leaves, but no flowers. It takes about two months of dormancy and one month to flower So, if you want flowers in December, you need to withhold water and let the plant go dormant in early September.

You can tell new growth is a flower because it will have a notch on the tip when it first emerges, which leaves do not. Make sure any old bulbs have enough room; at least 1 inch of soil between the bulb and the pot. You can repot almost anytime; might as well be right before dormancy.

For the novice, you need to remember that even though it is big, you are growing a bulb. Technically, it has everything it needs to produce a flower, including water. While you do need to give yours water occasionally, too much will rot the bulb. The surface down to an inch or so should be dry before watering. Stick your finger in and check once a week to start. Oh, take off foil, and no water should be left standing in any drainage saucers.

Once the plant has finished flowering, allow it to continue to grow until August or September and then let it go dry and dormant, preparing for next year’s spectacular blooms.

Back in the day almost every amaryllis bore red flowers. Not so today. If you go to the internet you will see that there are several kinds of bulbs, mostly different colors of red, white or pink and often in various patterns. Given that amaryllis are so available here, consider assembling a collection as different venues offer different varieties. Whatever you do, buy and try at least one of these wonderful plants.

Jeff’s Alaska Garden Calendar:

Alaska Botanical Garden: There are all manner of winter activities. Check ‘em out. The Garden is beautiful in the winter!

Tipsy plants: ‘Tis the season when indoor plants lean toward light, especially if grown in a dark room. ‘Tis the season to turn, turn, turn!