RADIO TRANSCRIPT
Date: December 10, 2020
Agent: Donna Teasley

Hello, this is Donna Teasley, Horticulture agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke Center.

I'll bet there will be some boxed amaryllis bulbs showing up under the tree on Christmas morning. It's a great gift for the plant lover and a wonderful source of color during the winter. The amaryllis is a very easy plant to grow and there is nothing any more spectacular than the sight of an amaryllis in full bloom. They come in many colors and the flowers are long lasting. They will also
re-bloom for many years if properly treated.

Most boxed amaryllis come with soil and a container included. When planting, be sure and leave about one third of the bulb showing above the soil line. Water sparingly until you can see signs of new growth. Then keep the soil evenly moist but not wet. You should sit the bulb in a sunny, warm spot. When the plant begins to grow, turn the pot every few days to make sure the foliage grows evenly. Fertilize with a general purpose fertilizer once a month. It will take 6 to 8 weeks for your
amaryllis to bloom.

After your plant has finished blooming, continue to water and feed to promote foliage growth. Move the plant outside in the summer and bring it back inside in the fall after the leaves have died. Stop watering during this time. Then, after about 2 months of rest, start watering the amaryllis again and the growth cycle will start all over.

This is Donna Teasley with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke Center. For more information about this program you can call us at 439-4460.