. . . . . . . the amaryllis chronicle!
In November I purchased two amaryllis bulbs.
I saw a large display of bulbs in plastic pots lined up inside the the garden
center at Walmart. I often stop there to get bags of birdseed and a stack of suet
cakes to keep the garden birds happy - their prices being affordable, unlike the
more fancy specialty 'wildlife shop' nearby.
Hoping these two bulbs would grow and bloom for Christmas, I was disappointed
when they didn't do anything but sit quietly planted, definitely dreaming,
in their muddy pots. I moved them out of the way into the potting shed over the
holidays, bringing them back to the dining room later when the temperatures
plummeted below freezing.
One decided to get moving in early January, the other one is struggling
and doesn't have a stem, just leaves, so may not bloom this year.
Early January
I decided a plain bamboo stake was not going to look elegant holding up this stately
stem so used the dried garden twigs from my Christmas decor - tied loosely with string
they have done a great job.
Reaching for the light - turning the pot daily to keep the stem straight!
Getting so tall!
January 19
I've taken a lot of photos of this spectacular bulb over the past couple of weeks.
By last weekend it had reached 32 inches, taller than the dried twigs, and was
begnning to open. It seems to grow more at night - each morning I
rush to the room and am astounded at how beautiful it looks.
January 21
January 23
Such a huge change in two days!
Such a huge change in two days!
January 24
January 25
34" tall from bulb to top of center bud!
Oh yes, didn't tell you, both bulbs were supposed to have white blooms according to the tag!
Instead, this one unfurled into this unusual pale coral/salmon shade - quite lovely and
totally unexpected. One more bud to open - Nature at her loveliest yet again!
Do you have stories/tips about growing amaryllis bulbs?
Have you been able to get them to re-grow a second year?
Reading the instructions they should do that if cut down after
flowering and stored correctly. I'll certainly try that later.
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It is a beautiful shade! I have never tried to grow them.
ReplyDeletePenny, only $5 at Walmart - and as much as I dislike shopping there I will be looking for more of these next Fall!
DeleteMary -
Oh what a beautiful color. I have not had one of these plants in probably 30 or more yrs. I love it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteTry one Pam - they are really fascinating to watch.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous soft color it is! I'm used to the brilliant red amaryllis. It's beautiful. I like your graceful garden twig support.
ReplyDeleteI love how bits and pieces from the winter can be brought inside and used for something useful - these twigs continue to hold on to their dried seed pods and are so attractive. Amaryllis for just $5 is giving me a lot of loveliness too!
DeleteMary -
I bought a lone Amaryllis bulb around Thanksgiving along with several Paperwhites. The Paperwhites bloomed profusely before Christmas giving off a lovely scent. However, the Amaryllis just sat in its special glass bulb container containing water - the top of the bulb out of water, the very bottom submerged. Nothing! I wondered about returning it to the flower shop where I bought it, but decided to wait. Finally, about a week ago, I saw a bit of green bud emerging. Each day, it is exposed a bit more. I now have hope that it may bloom by spring. I think mine is coral - I'll be happy with any color I get! Your photos are beautiful and so is the Amaryllis!
ReplyDeleteThat's exciting - hoping you get a beauty too Barb!
DeleteStopped by and read about your recent skiing accident - thankful someone saw you and offered help. Hope you will be back to feeling better soon - take care out there on those beautiful Colorado slopes.
Mary -
Hi Mary :) That is so beautiful!! Thank you for the video footage! I have no knowledge or experience with amaryllis but thank you so much for teaching me something! :)
DeleteWe have three that Jim tried to grow again this year, but they did like your little one or nothing at all. The huge one of yours is just amazing. The color is wonderful too.
ReplyDeleteThat has to be the most beautiful one I have ever seen, Mary. I have only grown one once and it bloomed pink. It soon died after. I enjoy any photo you show with that beautiful blue cupboard in the background. Have a nice weekend, Mary. Deb
ReplyDeleteVery dramatic and looks so lovely in your home. I only have a sad tale of an amaryllis. They must be fun to watch grow.
ReplyDeleteDear Mary, I enjoyed this post very much, so lovely to see your amaryllis grow so quickly, and what a beautiful colour it is. I have never grown them inside, but we have one in the garden I have had for about 30 years, including shifting house. However, it failed to bloom last year for the first time, and I am wondering why.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if your other plant will be white or red??
Fabulous ! Mary !!
ReplyDeleteCandice - I can't find anywhere to COMMENT on your blog since you had all the recent problems.
DeleteCan you perhaps let me know what's happening.
Mary x
Dear Mary, Your Amaryllis is gorgeous. It's my favorite color. All of my Amaryllis came from Wall Mart many years ago. After they bloom I put them back into my greenhouse where I mostly forget about them. I throw a little water on them now and then. Their leaves fall off. Early winter they show new leaves. However, they don't bloom again until April.
ReplyDeleteI have seen them bloom in the height of summer in gardens of Mexico. So, don't throw them away, they will bloom again next year, only a little later.
Beautiful, Mary. I always transplant them out in the garden, and yes they rebloom just fine. Try it.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning. You have such a touch with display. And the flowers are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI'm back from my blog break - and working on getting a more regular routine of blogging again - and finally getting around to catching up on blog reading.
Yes dear JoAnn, was glad to see you here this morning - left you a "ducky" comment!
DeleteMary x
Love the coral shade of your Amaryllis Mary - mine always rebloom, I cut them down and leave them, unloved, and forgotten, in the conservatory.
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know Rosemary - perhaps I'll put them in the potting shed later in hopes they'll BOTH bloom toward end of this year! It is a very unusual color, SO tall, and quite exciting to watch going through the stages!
DeleteThanks - Mary
The amaryllis is such a delicious colour much better than plain white, a true original to reward you for your patience.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried to grow them myself but have had the same sort of experience and satisfaction watching two white orchid plants bring forth glorious flowers every year despite my careless neglect.
What a beautiful colour Mary. I grow them every year - this year;s was called Apple Blossom. I always find that the leaves come first and then one day a flower bud peeps out. There is another bud to come on mine yet. The down side is that they grow so tall.
ReplyDeleteIf you go to Magnon's Meanderings on my side bar and ask him about them I have a feeling that he grew the bulbs on year after year.
Mary, that's a beautiful shade of apricot. What a nice surprise. I like to pick up those bulbs on clearance also. We've had a lot of luck getting them to regrow, but getting them to bloom at a particular time is another story. I read once to snip off the anthers where the pollen is as soon as you can to prolong the flower bloom but be careful if the pollen is already there as it will stain like that of the lily plant. I think it does help extend the bloom time a little. We stick them outside for the summer and bring them in again in late Aug./early Sept. and put them in the basement until sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving when we bring them up and start watering again. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Good luck with yours.
ReplyDeleteThese photos are gorgeous! How wonderful to see this beautiful flower grow and bloom.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Mary! I tried them once years ago with luck!
ReplyDeleteSorry, I don’t know anything about growing bulbs inside but certainly love yours. It’s so tall and beautiful. Impressive.
ReplyDelete