- Amaryllis bulbs may be potted as early as October. The pot should be only a little larger than the bulb diameter. Plant the bulb with about half above the soil line. The soil mixture should be slightly acid with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8, according to Paul A. Thomas, Extension Horticulturist of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service in the Fact Sheet "Amaryllis." Cover the pot with a plastic bag and keep in a warm place. A radiator or the pilot light on a gas stove works well. Be sure it does not dry out. Keep moist but not wet. Increase water as the bud grows.
- To have the flowers bloom for special occasions, decide the date. The bulb should be potted six to twelve weeks before the bloom date. With attention to temperature, water and humidity, the amaryllis should bloom according to plan. To have continuous blooming flowers, plant at two week intervals.
- When the flower stem reaches about 6 inches, place the amaryllis in a well-lit window, but not in the sun, until it flowers. The leaves will grow after flowering. Water the plant thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Too much water can cause root rot. It is normal for the stem and flower to appear before any leaves.
- In order to keep the bulb for another season, keep the plant at about 70 degrees F until the leaves grow. Cut the used flower stem close to the bulb. Continue to water and apply plant food every two weeks to replenish the bulb. Beginning in September, gradually decrease water until the leaves have died. Cut the dead leaves back almost to the bulb and remove the bulb from the soil.
- Keep the amaryllis bulb in a cool dark place for at least six weeks or until ready to plant. The refrigerator crisper is perfect for this. When ready to plant, carefully replace the soil with fresh soil ready for a new growth cycle. After three years, the bulbs will need to be repotted. This is the time to separate and divide the bulbs. The new small bulbs, placed in their own pots, will bloom in two years.