Growing Things: How to get your Amaryllis to bloom

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Q: I was wondering if you could give me some insight. I planted an Amaryllis bulb in November and it still has not bloomed. The leaves look very healthy and are tall but there is no sign of a bloom. Any comments would be appreciated.
A: Timely question as I was just in a coffee shop that had 3 Amaryllis bulbs on their counter. One was in full bloom, but the other two had no sign of bloom. Be patient as yours may yet reward you with a bloom this growing season. The plant should be in full sun, and you should be keeping the soil evenly moist but not wet. Sometimes, if the plant has not gone through a long enough rest period it may skip a year and bloom again the following year. ?If it doesn’t bloom for you this year follow these instructions:
? In the spring, plant outdoors in a sunny spot. This outdoor time is critical for the storage of nutrients.? Fertilize twice/month and water when dry.
? In late summer, and well before frost, take the plant indoors and stop watering. Leave the plant in full sun.? The plant will do best in a room where the temperature is 10-16 C. The leaves will begin to die back and when completely dead, you can store the plant in the dark.
? In mid-winter repot the bulb into a pot that is no more than five centimeters larger than the bulb’s diameter. Amaryllis like to be pot-bound to a certain extent.? When planting, do not disturb the roots and cover only the lower 1/2 to 2/3 of the bulb with potting soil.
? Place the plant into a sunny south window and water well. You should see signs of new leaves or a flower stalk emerging.
Q: Thanks for your column, I enjoy it very much. I have been trying to save more and more of my outdoor plants over the winter. Again this year I brought a dracaena into the house for the second winter and I’m wondering how it should be cared for. I’ve noticed that it is getting paler and I have been watering it and fertilizing it. It is in a pot with some ivy and sits beside a patio door facing south. I would appreciate any tips you might have.
A: I would move the plant back from the window. It may be getting too much sunlight which is causing the bleaching of the leaves. Many dracaenas like bright but indirect light. It also likes to have moist soil but not wet. Stick your finger in the soil. If it feels wet do not water. Having said this you need to be careful not to let the plant dry out completely between waterings.? If the top centimetre of soil feels dry then it is time to water. Giving the plant a misting a couple of times a week will also help.
I have been asked to remind you that there is still space in the Master Gardener program in Stony Plain. Registration is open until February 20. Check out the website for more information: https://redbrickcommon.ca/omg/
Every week, Growing Things Outdoors runs online at?edmontonjournal.com?or, if you prefer an epaper format, epaper.edmontonjournal.com
Learn more by emailing your questions to?filipskigerald@gmail.com, reading past columns or my book?Just Ask Jerry. You can also follow me on X (Twitter)?@justaskjerry01.
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