You might not know that you can get your amaryllis to bloom again even after it has bloomed for the first time. However, it’s possible and can be done with a few simple steps. So, how do you make your amaryllis rebloom?
You can make your amaryllis rebloom by leaving the bulb to store enough energy, removing spent flower stalks, and keeping the bulb in a cool, dark place for up to 8 weeks. Once the dormancy period is over, encourage it to bloom again by providing adequate sunlight, water, and fertilizer.
You can also use some advanced techniques to get your amaryllis to rebloom with greater success. The rest of this article will provide detailed instructions on the steps mentioned above and more advanced techniques to help you make your amaryllis rebloom. Let’s get started!
1. Leave Your Bulbs to Grow Over the Summer
Don’t be tempted to cut your amaryllis bulbs back down to size just because their blooming period is over. In fact, you should only cut off the spent blooms and leave the flower stalks and foliage behind. Allow your amaryllis bulbs to grow over the summer so they can store more energy for blooming in the following year.
When you allow the foliage to remain, your amaryllis bulb can photosynthesize and store energy. This is why it’s beneficial to leave the bulb alone and allow it to grow during the summer months.
To ensure that your bulb can store enough energy:
Provide Adequate Sunlight
Amaryllis bulbs need plenty of sunlight to photosynthesize and gain energy. They thrive best in a location that provides them with partial or filtered sunlight, such as next to a lightly curtained eastern or southern window. Avoid direct sunlight, as this can be too harsh for the bulb.
Water Bulbs Regularly
Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and ensure it’s not too dry. Amaryllis bulbs should be watered from the top, as this helps them to absorb water better.
Check the soil before watering it, and ensure that the top inch (2.5 cm) of the soil is dry before adding more water.
Fertilize the Bulbs
Fertilizing your amaryllis will give it the extra nutrients it needs to store more energy for blooming. You should use a soluble fertilizer that is specifically designed for blooming plants. Phosphorus-rich fertilizers with NPK values of 4-10-10 are especially beneficial for amaryllis bulbs.
Apply the fertilizer at half-strength every two weeks during the blooming period. Gradually increase the gap between applications while the plant still has foliage and stop as soon as the stalks and foliage turn yellow.
2. Remove Each Flower as It Fades
When an amaryllis blooms, it puts all of its energy into producing two or more flowers. Once these flowers fade, the plant may spend more energy making seeds, inhibiting its ability to rebloom. Remove each flower as it fades to ensure that your amaryllis bulb can store as much energy for the next blooming cycle.
If you see a pod forming, pinch it off and discard it. This will prevent any energy from being used to form seeds, and instead, it will be stored in the bulb for reblooming and new flower growth. Leave the flower stalks and foliage to grow for as long as possible so that the amaryllis can store more energy.
3. Cut the Flower Stalks and Leaves Once They’re Yellow
Once the flower stalks become yellow or start to sag, it’s time to cut them off. At this point, the amaryllis has finished blooming, and it won’t produce any more flowers. Cutting the flower stalks tells the bulb it’s time to start preparing for the next blooming cycle.
Cut the flower stalks at their base close to the bulb, so they don’t take away any energy from it. Leave about 2 inches (5 cm) of flower stalk on the bulb to prevent damage.
The same applies to the leaves. If you notice that the leaves are yellowing and starting to wither, it’s time to cut them off. Cut the leaves close to the bulb, and discard any leaves that have brown spots or other signs of disease to prevent them from spreading to the bulb.
4. Choose a Smaller Pot and High-Quality Potting Mix
If you want to maximize your amaryllis bulb’s growth and energy storage for reblooming, you should choose a smaller pot. Your amaryllis bulb should be snug in the pot but not too tight.
If it’s too tight, the bulb won’t have enough room to grow, and if it’s too large, there can be too much soil, which will retain moisture for too long and may cause the bulb to rot. The ideal size is slightly bigger than the bulb itself. It should be 2 inches (5 cm) wider and deeper.
Ensure there are holes at the bottom of the pot to allow any excess water to escape and to prevent the bulb from becoming waterlogged.
Choose a potting mix that is well-draining and free of debris. Ideally, it should contain 2 parts loamy soil, 1 part perlite, and 1 part compost or peat.
5. Remove the Bulbs From the Old Soil
Once you’ve chosen the appropriate pot and potting mix, it’s time to remove the amaryllis bulb from the garden or old potting soil. Amaryllis grown outdoors will only rebloom if brought indoors during a freezing winter. On the other hand, potted amaryllis will have better chances of reblooming if repotted in fresh potting mix.
To remove the bulbs, simply loosen the soil about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) around them using a hand trowel and carefully pull out the bulbs.
Once removed, ensure that the bulb is ready to be replanted by following these steps:
- Gently shake off the old soil from the roots.
- Use scissors to trim off any dead or damaged roots still attached to the bulb.
- Cut off any remaining foliage and flower stalks at the bulb’s base.
- Inspect the bulb for damage or signs of disease.
If there are any visible cracks or cuts and the bulb is soft, it means the bulb has started to rot, so it’s best to discard it.
However, if the bulb is still tough but there’s a visible sign of a pest attack or disease, you can treat the bulb before replanting it. Soak the bulb for 30 minutes in warm water with temperatures ranging from 104-114 °F (40-46 °C).
Keep the water temperature within the recommended range during the soaking period. Afterward, allow the bulb to cool and dry for an hour on a paper towel in a well-ventilated room with stable room temperatures.
6. Repot Your Amaryllis Bulbs
Now that you’ve prepared the soil and treated the bulbs of pests and diseases, you can repot your amaryllis bulbs.
To repot your amaryllis bulb:
- Fill half the pot with the potting mix.
- Carefully place the bulb in the center and fill the area around it with more soil, keeping the bulb’s neck above the surface.
- Gently press down the soil around the bulb.
- Water your pot generously but carefully so that you’re not overwatering it because this can lead to root rot.
- Allow any excess water to drain away until the pot is just barely damp.
7. Store in a Cool, Dark Place
Amaryllis bulbs need a period of rest to build up energy for the next season of growth. For 8-12 weeks, it’s important to keep the bulbs in a dark, cool place with temperatures between 40 and 55 °F (4.5 and 13 °C). This can be an unheated garage, basement, or somewhere else in the home that is away from direct sunlight.
Chilling the bulbs in this way simulates the winter season in their natural environment and is essential for encouraging them to bloom again.
Don’t water the bulbs during this time, as too much moisture will cause them to rot. Keep them in their cool, dark place, occasionally checking in to ensure everything is going well.
8. Watch for New Flower Buds To Appear
Timing is crucial when it comes to making your amaryllis bulbs rebloom. Start the process in late summer or early fall, so the bulbs have enough time to go through dormancy and be ready for spring. This will give them the best chance of thriving during their next season of growth.
Ensure that you mark the date on your calendar, so you can start the process at the right time each fall and have your bulbs bloom just in time for the next season or holiday.
Once the amaryllis bulbs have had plenty of time to mature, you should watch for flower buds to emerge from the center of the leaves. This is usually one of the most exciting parts of growing amaryllis, as you can finally see your efforts paying off.
After a few weeks in their resting period, you should see signs of new growth. This is an encouraging sign that you’ve done everything correctly, and the amaryllis bulbs will soon be ready for their next season of growth.
9. Gradually Acclimatize Your Plant for Spring
New flower buds may take a few weeks to appear, but once they do, it’s time to reintroduce your plant to a warm and bright spot. This may be as early as late winter or early spring if you live in a warm climate. However, if you live in a colder climate, you may need to wait until mid-spring or even summer, depending on the weather.
You can then transplant your amaryllis outside if you want it in your garden soil. The exact timing will depend on your climate, but you should wait until all danger of frost has passed before you move them out.
Once it’s safe to move them out, carefully transplant them outdoors. To transplant them, follow the same steps you used when repotting them indoors. Make sure you keep the neck of the bulb above soil level and fill in around it with well-draining soil.
However, this step is entirely optional. If you prefer, keep your amaryllis in pots and simply move them outside when the weather is warm enough. They bloom better this way, as the pot keeps the soil moist and provides a more stable environment.
10. Move Your Amaryllis to a Sunny Spot
Now for the fun part. It’s time to enjoy watching your amaryllis grow! To ensure your bulbs get enough sunlight and stay healthy, move them to an area with plenty of indirect sunlight, such as a south-facing windowsill.
Your amaryllis should receive at least 6 hours of indirect sunlight per day for optimal growth and blooming, so make sure you give them the best spot you can find. If you prefer keeping them outdoors, choose a location with partial shade during the hottest part of the day.
11. Start Watering Again
Water is essential for healthy amaryllis plants, so it’s important to start watering them again once the bulbs show signs of new growth. Aim to keep the soil moist at all times but not wet.
One of the classic signs of an underwatered amaryllis is droopy leaves. As such, if you notice the leaves falling over, you should start taking your watering schedule more seriously.
For in-ground amaryllis bulbs, aim for about one inch (2.5 cm) of water per week from rainfall or additional watering. Feel the soil about 2 inches (5 cm) deep around the bulb to confirm whether your amaryllis needs water. If it feels dry, then it’s time to give them a drink.
On the other hand, water potted amaryllis as soon as the top inch (2.5 cm) of the soil is dry.
You should use lukewarm water to avoid shocking the plant. As the amaryllis starts to grow again, you may need to increase the watering frequency to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Plenty of water is essential, as it allows the plant to absorb all necessary nutrients and helps support its growth. However, ensure that you don’t overwater your amaryllis, as too much moisture can lead to root rot.
12. Fertilizer Your Amaryllis Regularly
You should add a soluble fertilizer every 2 weeks once active growth begins. The fertilizer should be high in phosphorus, as this is known to help promote blooms in plants. A high-potassium fertilizer will help the amaryllis develop strong and healthy stems and large flowers.
I recommend using a 4-10-10 or 10-20-15 NPK fertilizer during the growing period.
Follow all of the instructions on the fertilizer label for the best results. A general rule is to dilute the fertilizer to one-half of its recommended strength before applying it to the amaryllis plants.
13. Watch for Aphids and Other Pests
Keep an eye out for pests on your amaryllis plants, such as aphids. These tiny insects can cause significant damage if left unchecked, so it’s important to take action immediately if you spot any.
You can use mild insecticidal soap to remove the pests from your plants or pick them off by hand. Make sure to check the underside of the leaves, as this is where aphids tend to hide.
If you have a severe infestation, then it may be necessary to discard the bulb and start again with a new one.
14. Take Care of Your Amaryllis and Enjoy the Blooms
Amaryllis can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks to fully bloom after you’ve started the reblooming cycle. However, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful clusters of exotic blooms in vibrant hues once they do.
The blooming period can last up to 8 weeks, depending on the variety and the care you give them. The size of the bulbs will also determine how long the flowers will last, as larger bulbs tend to produce more blooms.
As they start to fade, simply cut off the fading blooms and enjoy the new ones that are just beginning to open. Once the blooms have all faded, let the leaves die down and repeat the cycle!
Remember that even when given proper care, reblooming isn’t guaranteed—and that’s okay! Your amaryllis may surprise you if you provide the right conditions to thrive and allow it to regenerate itself over time.
Conclusion
Although reblooming amaryllis can be challenging, following the steps outlined in this guide should give you the best chance of success. Patience and dedication are crucial to helping your amaryllis rebloom, so keep going if it takes a few tries to get the right conditions.
By providing your amaryllis with the proper care and attention, they will keep reblooming for years to come. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and show those bulbs some extra love. You’ll be glad you did! And don’t forget to share your amaryllis blooms with friends and family.
