Fading beauty -

The Amaryllis Chronicles are over once again. The photos above were of last year's blooms which I had photographed but never posted - but this year the blooms looked similar and were enjoyed so much during the dreary days of January.

Come late spring the bulbs will once again be planted out in the garden. One year they surprised with gorgeous blooms in summer, other years just tall bright green leaves waved in the hot summer sun, somehow surviving while awaiting yet another potting shed rest in September and October. Potting up again came in November ready for blooming in January.

All this may sound like work!  It rather is but is so worth it.  I used to chuck my bulbs out into the compost thinking they were done after one blooming, but thanks to my dear friend Gina in Utah ~ Art and Alfalfa ~ I learned how to keep them going year after year.

Will they bloom another year? Who knows. Patience and TLC is required and I'm willing to try again.

Beautiful Beginnings -

While another garden season may be complete, indoors there are

 still exciting moments happening in little pots of dirt. 

My first 'Apple Blossom' amaryllis, bought prior to Christmas, has now grown

 and opened two of four buds on its first stem.  There's now a second stem coming

 up which hopefully will do as well. Such beauty for $5.00.

I went back the hardware store after Christmas and found all the remaining bulbs
on sale for just $3.00! They were already trying to escape their boxes, pushing 
through the lids and asking to be planted in their pots. I purchased one more
as I am limited for space, the dining room table really the only place which gets
enough sun at this time of year. . . . . . . but I wished I could have rescued
many more.

This morning, though chilly, the sun is shining brightly, and I have a

 hard time taking my eyes off this blooming beauty. 

These bulbs are just magical. . . . . . . .

 . . . . . . . .and life is good.

Listening to this amazing music from a wonderful location:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihx5LCF1yJY

Amaryllis - patience pays off. . . . . . . . . . .

Last evening. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . early this morning!

Yes, the three lovely flowers are now fully open.

Just a few more hours, and in the dark of night, made such a difference.

Loved all the comments and tips you shared HERE regarding 

growing/caring for these stately, beautiful flowers, again thank you.

Here's hoping I can keep mine for many years as some of 

you have!

This morning it continues to rain and is very dreary outside 

the windows - but inside we have this beauty to enjoy.

Reaching new heights. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . 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!

January 24

January 25

Today - January 26
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.