Need Help to Get Christmas Plants to Rebloom??

Question: I have an amaryllis that has one blooming stalk with four huge flowers and another flower stalk coming. I’d like to keep it for next year. L.S.

 Answer: With the right care, you can keep an amaryllis for several years and have flowers every winter. It sounds like you have a premium quality plant which is easiest to re-bloom.

 Grow your amaryllis in a bright location, such as a sunny south or west window. Water enough to keep the soil moist. Fertilize once a month with a complete house plant fertilizer. The plant needs to restore the bulb so it can produce next year’s flowers.

 In late May move your amaryllis outdoors to sunny spot with well drained soil. Bury the pot in the ground up to the rim. Water as needed, and continue regular fertilizing through summer.

 Before frost, dig up the amaryllis, pot and all, and bring indoors. Stop fertilizing. Gradually reduce watering over a three-week period and then stop.  Put the plant a cool dry spot and let the leaves die back. Amaryllis must go through a dormant or resting stage before re-blooming.

 Store your dormant amaryllis in its pot in a cool (45-55 degrees F.), dry location.

 After a two to three month rest your amaryllis will be ready to grow and flower.  Move the amaryllis back to a warm bright room and begin regular watering.  Your amaryllis should flower four to six weeks later. 

 Question: I kept my poinsettia from Christmas 2010. I did everything you told me – cut it back in spring, watered, fertilized, moved it outdoors for summer. In September I brought it inside and put it in a closet every night and took it out during the day. The plant is green and healthy but no flowers. I’m so disappointed. What happened? H.M.

 Answer: How frustrating for you! Poinsettia must have 13 continuous hours of complete darkness every night. If closet was opened during the night – even once, or if enough light came through cracks at the bottom or sides of the closet door, it may not have been dark enough to initiate flower formation. Try covering the poinsettia with a light-tight box or use a different closet. During the day the plant must have bright light.  Night temperatures above 70-75 degrees can also prevent or delay flowering. Don’t give up. Poinsettias are pretty for Valentine’s Day.

 Kenosha News, January 5, 2011
Barb Larson, Horticulture Educator
Kenosha County UW-Extension
Home Horticulture Hotline 262-857-1945