I bought an Amaryllis bulb in the spring that had a couple inches of green popping out so planted it indoors. My plan was to leave it in the sun until it bloomed then move into a shady area and when done blooming and dried out, put it away in the dark until Fall. But this thing now has two foot leaves on it and not a sign of a flower bud. Any idea of what to do with this thing? I've had this plant several times but never one that acted quite like this. amarillo ( photo / image / picture from carolo43's Garden ) moderator's note: added a more descriptive title to topic
Maybe it is an immature bulb I have one in a pot in my office. It began as one bulb and now there is a daughter bulb in there. I get leaves but no flowers, yet. I'm waiting patiently I think I'd let that one die back naturally and see what happens in the fall. Maybe it's a late bloomer
I don't know. They say the longer the leaves, the more nutrients for the bulb so maybe if it decides to bloom this Fall, there will be some nice flowers. The bulb really wasn't very large so could be you're on to something there. Thanks for the help.
Stratsmom is right - It could me an immature bulb. I once had an amaryllis that was just as slow and it only bloomed three years after I have bought and planted it. Some people also force their bulbs, but I usually just leave them in the soil and let them do their thing. Soon enough you will be rewarded with a large bloom and the waiting will be worth while. I usually feed my amaryllis with liquid fertilizer once a month when it is in the 'leafy' stage and I usually get two to three flowers per plant. However, this is after growing Amaryllis for seven years.
Thanks so much. The information from both of you makes perfect sense to me. I never expected 2 ft leaves. Makes me think I will have one awesome flower if it does decide to do something.
To update: Never did get a flower. Put the bulb away to rest and when I looked at it a month later, the goofy thing had started to grow a new shoot after it was at rest. Almost time to haul it out of the dark and give it another go.
And it is!!!! Hauled it out of the dark the end of January and already it has now 3 more sections growing from it and a huge big ol' flower bud!!!! yeaaaaaa
Hi Carolo43, If you have room to keep your bulb growing year round try to do so. I keep mine growing all the time and it has now bloomed twice this month and the blooms are huge and gorgeous. Mine stays in the greenhouse during the colder parts of the year and outside on the patio(with shade) during the summer. Mine is also in a 12" pot.
Never thought of that. I thought the bulb had to rest before flowering again. Thank you, I will try that. I ended up with 3 big flowers but don't know if I will get more now.
Hi, I live in the South East and I have learned to be patient with Amaryllis..the blooms are worth waiting for. I planted some bulbs last Spring;I too got the long leaves etc but no flowers..Spring 2011 I got rewarded with the MOST delightful blooms! They have become my favorite! This site always says my pics are too big so when I can I will post a pic of them.
This has been a truly helpful thread, as I have been wondering the same thing about my amaryllis. The leaves are four feet long, but I never got any flowers. Thanks for all the info.
