To engender a resplendent display of Amaryllis blossoms spanning six to eight weeks post-plantation, implement a staggered sowing strategy. This technique ensures a continuous floral spectacle until Easter, adhering to an eight-week maturation timeline. For Yuletide blooms, initiate cultivation in September.
Amaryllis, ranging from the slender-limbed cybisters to the statuesque 75 cm behemoths, uniformly crave a nutrient-rich, exceedingly porous substrate. This is best achieved by amalgamating gravel or sand with leaf mould or aged manure into an all-purpose compost, thus creating an ideal habitat in a sun-drenched, tepid nook.
For optimal growth, Amaryllis bulbs prefer snug quarters. Select a vessel offering a mere couple of inches of mulch clearance around the bulb. Prior to embedding, immerse the bulb and its tendrils in tepid water for several hours. Half-fill your chosen container with lump-free, peat-free compost, securing it delicately with fingertips. Position the bulb so its crown peeks just above the vessel’s rim. Surround it with compost, tamping it down softly. Post-watering, ensure thorough drainage. Culminate by encircling the bulb with a layer of garden grit, a measure to retain soil moisture.
