Why will Amayllis (Amaryllis) not grow?

Yorky · Rowan Tree Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 148

I planted an Amaryllis bulb about three weeks ago, following the instructions very carefully, and it hasn't even started to grow. Here are some photographs - does anyone know what might be the problem? It's supposed to flower in six weekas but I can't see that it will at this stage. The follwing are some photos:

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 2:01 pm Post subject:

Don't worry too much, as it can often take can take 6 to 8 weeks for an Amaryllis bulb to leaf up.
Just ensure you give it a little water just to keep the soil slightly moist not soaking.
Avoid using cold tap water, instead use room temperature rain water.
The temperature of the room storing the bulb should be warm about 15 to 20c, and there should be a fair degree of natural sunlight.

One thing I thought when I saw your pics is that the bulb seems a bit low in the compost.
I would prefer to leave a half or two-thirds of the bulb above the soil/compost when planting.
This may be a reason why your Amaryllis is a tad slow to leaf.

Yorky · Rowan Tree Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 148

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 2:54 pm Post subject:

No, I would leave it for now, sit it out and wait.
If nothing emerges in a few weeks, I would then lower the compost around the bulb.
Even if no growth appears this year, don't dump the bulb, as I have come across cases of Amaryllis taking a year or two to get to leafing and flowering.

Yorky · Rowan Tree Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 148

Thanks again. I was actually going to take it back to the shop but perhaps I should be more patient - I am disappointed though as my daughter was looking forward to seeing the flower.

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 12:36 am Post subject:

I posted a handy article on how to force your Amaryllis to bloom again next Christmas, provided it does this year.
Have a look...... http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1144

verge · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:07 pm Post subject:

BANG, and the pictures were gone.

Yorky · Rowan Tree Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 148

My amaryllis flowered in April 2009 after which I removed the stem and watered it once a week as per the guidelines. In the autumn, I had intended the remove the outer layers of the bulb and replace the compost in order for it to flower again in December.

However, I noticed today that it's starting to grow again! I removed the dead layers and am unsure what to do next. Has anyone any ideas? Should I add more or change the compost ?

Here's a photo of the new growth and in bloom