Q: My neighbor gave me some gorgeous pink and white amaryllis for Christmas. She told me they could be planted in the yard. How do I take care of these beautiful plants?

A: The following information was gleaned from a University of Florida/IFAS publication titled, “Amaryllis” by Dr. Sydney Brown and Dr. Robert Black. The complete document web link is attached below. Amaryllis bulbs can be planted in the ground anytime between September and January. Amaryllis plants do best in light or dappled shade. In heavy shade, they will be thin, spindly and flower poorly. These plants require well-drained soils amended with organic matter or compost. Use slow-release forms of fertilizer to minimize leaching of nutrients into water resources. Apply 2-3 light applications of fertilizer during growing season, which is March through September. Plant the bulbs 12 to 15 inches apart with the neck of the bulb protruding above the ground. Water newly planted amaryllis and keep them moist but not waterlogged until the plants are well-established. The bulbs may be left in the ground for several years or dug and reset every September or October. It is not necessary to dig, separate, and replant each year, but doing so will encourage uniform flowering and larger blooms. Digging also provides an opportunity to discard unhealthy bulbs, to remove young offsets (bulblets) and to amend the bed with organic matter. Control weeds by spreading a 2-inch layer of mulch over the bed at planting time and remove any that appear. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP060

0