Michigan Bulb Planting Guide

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