16/10/2026
🌺They're baaaack!!!!! 🌺
Waxed amaryllis bulbs and au naturale ones too.
For the Waxed Amaryllis....
(Hippeastrum) bulbs are pre-dipped, self-contained flowering bulbs that require no soil, no pot, and no watering to bloom.
How They Work....
• Stored Energy: The massive bulb holds all the moisture and carbohydrates needed to grow stalks and flowers.
• The Wax Layer: A thick decorative wax coating seals in moisture and prevents the bulb from drying out.
• Base Support: Most come with a small metal coil or stand so they sit flat on a table or desk without toppling over.
Care Instructions...
• Light: Place the bulb in a bright, indoor spot with indirect sunlight. Avoid direct, hot sun.
• Rotation: Rotate the bulb every few days so the flower stalks grow straight instead of leaning toward the light source.
• Bloom Time: Flower stalks typically emerge and bloom within 3 to 6 weeks.
• Maintenance: Cut off spent flower stalks as the blooms fade.
Can You Keep Them?...
• Most commercial waxed bulbs are intended as single-use decorative displays and are discarded after blooming because they exhaust their stored energy.
• To save one, you can carefully peel off the wax after flowering, pot the bulb in well-draining soil, and let the green leaves photosynthesize to rebuild energy for future seasons.
For the au naturale Amaryllis...
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) bulbs grow best indoors in pots with the top one-third to half of the bulb exposed above the soil line.
Planting and Initial Care....
Pot Selection: Choose a pot that is only 1 to 2 inches wider than the bulb itself, as amaryllis prefer a snug fit. Ensure it has drainage holes.
• Soil: Use a well-draining potting or cactus mix.
• Placement: Place the pot in a bright, sunny spot like a windowsill (around 20°C–22°C). Rotate the pot every few days so the flower stalk grows straight.
• Watering: Water thoroughly once after planting, then keep the soil barely moist until green shoots emerge. Overwatering early on causes bulb rot.
Care After Blooming...
• Pruning: Cut off faded flower stalks about 1 to 5 cm (0.5 to 2 inches) above the bulb, but leave all the leaves intact. The leaves perform photosynthesis to feed next year's bloom.
• Feeding: Water regularly and feed with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks while leaves are growing.
• Summer Care: Move the plant outdoors to a bright, protected spot after the risk of frost passes.
Forcing a Rebloom (Dormancy)...
• Rest Period: In late summer or early autumn (around August–September), stop watering and fertilizing.
• The Chill: Allow the foliage to yellow and cut it back, then place the bulb in a cool, dark, dry place (about 10°C–13°C) for 8 to 12 weeks.
• Restart: Bring the bulb back out to light, refresh the topsoil, and resume watering to start a new cycle.
