Availability

Holland Amaryllis are available from October until April. Because of the large assortment that is presently on the market, it is difficult to give an exact forcing schedule. Generally the amaryllis flower more consistently after January 1. As a rule it takes 4 weeks to flower after shoot emerges.

 

                For Christmas:

                Plant November 10, recommended to use Southern Hemisphere bulbs

 

                For Valentines:

                Plant December 20, Use only size 30/32 of Ludwig Goliath, Fantastica, Dutch Belle, Apple Blossom, or Maria Goretti

 

                For Easter:

                All varieties and sizes are suitable, schedule ship date 6 weeks before Easter

 

Storage Upon Arrival

Use a low humidity, well-ventilated area. Short-term storage temperature should be 55-60⁰F. Long-term storage or if the sprouts begin to show, lower the temperature to 41⁰ F

Planting and Fertilization

Amaryllis must be planted in a well-drained, pH 6.0-6.5, sterilized planting medium. NEVER USE FRESH MANURE as part of the medium. Normally one bulb is planted per 5 1/2" or 6" (13-15 cm.) standard pot or 3 smaller bulbs in a 8" pot. Plant the bulb with the nose slightly above the rim of the pot - about 1/3 of the bulb will be out of the pot. The use of a plastic pot is preferred. Force bulbs pot to pot on the bench. After planting, water thoroughly. Subsequently, the medium should be kept only slightly moist. Do not to overwater the plant in order to stimulate regrowth of the basal root system. USE TEPID WATER!! Do not water the bulb nose. Initially, amaryllis do not need fertilization. After they are marketed consumers should be advised to fertilize the plants.

Light

Plants should be forced in a low to medium light (1000-5000 ft. candle) intensity greenhouse. It is possible to start bulbs in a dark, temperature-controlled area before the bulbs are placed under lighted conditions.

 

Temperature

Amaryllis are tropical plants and they can be forced over a wide range of temperatures, but 75-80°F (24-27°C) is preferred. Bottom heat should be used. Average forcing time to market stage of development is 6-8 weeks. It will vary with each cultivar and forcing period. It is also important to note that amaryllis lots are somewhat variable and no guarantee as to flowering time can be given.

Marketing, Harvesting and Storage

Amaryllis should be marketed when the floral stalk is 12" tall. It is desirable to have leaf growth of 6-12" and a second stalk beginning to grow. Do not cold store amaryllis plants or flowers. If they need to be held, place them at 50° F. Whenever possible, plants should be marketed with care tags. The consumer should be informed that amaryllis should be fertilized 1-2 times per month when it is growing. They can be placed outdoors in the pot when the danger of frost has passed. Amaryllis can also be used as cut flowers. They should be cut when the floral buds are colored, but not yet open. To prevent the splitting and outrolling of the cut stem, the flowers can be held in 0125 sucrose for 24 hours at 72°F before shipping.