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GROWING BULBS INDOORS '<br />
AMARYLLIS-Plant your amaryllis bulb in a 6" diameter planting pot or other container<br />
of comparable size. Make sure the container has a drainage hole in the bottom.<br />
Place a small amount of potting mix in the bottom of the container. Hold your amaryllis<br />
bulb so that approximately 1/3 of the bulb will be above soil level, spread roots out<br />
carefully and fill in potting mixture around bulb and roots, pressing firmly. Water<br />
thoroughly.<br />
Water sparingly until the flower stem appears, then gradually water more. Water as needed<br />
to keep from drying out.<br />
If the bulb does not show a bud once planted, set the potted bulb in a warm place to<br />
encourage growth. Bottom heat may be beneficial. When growth begins, move your<br />
amaryllis to a brightly-lit area, turning the pot one-quarter turn each day. Blooms should<br />
appear within 6-8 weeks, although the amount of time may vary.<br />
Remove blooms as they fade. After all flowers have finished blooming, cut away the<br />
flower stem. This may stimulate the growth of a second flower stem. Broad sword-like<br />
leaves usually appear after the plant has flowered.<br />
To save your amaryllis for future seasons, move the container to a sunny outside spot after<br />
danger of frost has passed in late spring, or plant the bulb directly in your garden. Water<br />
regularly and feed the bulb monthly with a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer to encourage<br />
next season's bloom.<br />
In late summer, and before the first frost, discontinue watering and prepare the bulb for<br />
storage. Place it in your garage or basement untiI the leaves have turned yellow. Then cut<br />
off leaves above the neck of the bulb and remove most of the soil from the roots. Store<br />
the bulb in a paper bag for 6-8 weeks at 65-70° F. Repot the bulb as described above.<br />
Water thoroughly.<br />
PAPER WHITE NARCISSUS-Unpack your bulbs upon arrival, but do not pot them<br />
immediately. Store them in a cool place (40-50° F [5-10° CD until approximately six<br />
weeks before you want them to flower.<br />
To plant, fill a 3-4" deep container half full of pebbles or marble chips, and set the bulbs<br />
about y," apart on this surface. Then add more pebbles around the bulbs until one-third of<br />
each bulb shows above the pebbles.<br />
Pour water into the bowl until it nearly touches the bottoms of the bulbs and set in a<br />
cool, dark place. As soon as root growth is active and top growth begins (in about<br />
2-3 weeks), bring the planter into a bright, sunny place. Maintain the water level at<br />
all times. Placing the container in a cool location during flowering will extend the life of<br />
the blooms.<br />
If you wish, you can also "plant" your Paper White Narcissus in a commercial potting<br />
soil. Plant them firmly, so that the top of the bulb is just above soil level. Water enough to<br />
moisten the potting mix and place pot in a moderately cool (45-55° F [7-13° CD location<br />
out of direct sunlight until growth begins. During this time, keep the soil damp but not wet.<br />
As soon as the green tips emerge, you should bring your potted Paper White Narcissus into<br />
a sunny location at normal room temperature.<br />
Saving Paper White Narcissus bulbs for future seasons is generally unsuccessful and is<br />
not recommended.<br />
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