December 4, 2010
Amaryllis
Holiday decoration is all in the preparation
Bright Blooms for Winter
By Sean Conway Tribune Media Services
’Tis the season for Hippeastrum! For those who don’t speak horticultural Latin, let me rephrase: ’Tis the season for amaryllis. The bulbs we commonly refer to as Amaryllis are actually a separate genus of the amaryllis family called Hippeastrum and are comprised of 70 to 75 different species and more than 600 cultivars. Once only available through specialty catalogs and garden centers, amaryllis bulbs are now available at grocery stores, mass retailers and even at drug store chains. Why the surge in popularity? The answer lies in the life cycle of the plant, and the ease with which anybody can grow this beautiful bulb. Amaryllis bulbs go through a growth cycle similar to the daffodil bulb. In the spring they send up green strap-like leaves, which feed the plant during its active growing period throughout the summer. During fall months, when days shorten, the bulb goes into dormancy and rests. In the wild, the ability to go into a dormant state helps the plant survive during periods of little or no rain. Growers of amaryllis bulbs are able to package and ship bulbs while they are dormant with little to no harm to the plant. Once planted and given water and light, the bulbs grow and bloom. Bulbs planted in mid to late fall will bloom in four to six weeks when grown in a sunny window. Begin by potting up your bulb in a clay or ceramic pot. Lightweight plastic pots may not be heavy enough to prevent your plant from tipping over when in bloom. Choose a pot that allows at least 1 inch of space between the edge of the bulb and the edge of the pot. Be sure your pot has a drainage hole at the bottom. Like most bulbs, amaryllis bulbs prefer well-drained soils or they will rot. I
Kristi Ritter Summer Stair
Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly
Photos courtesy Thinkstock
use a well-balanced commercial potting mix as a base and then add a generous handful of sand to the mix to ensure good drainage. Commercially grown amaryllis bulbs come in a variety of sizes and it is best to choose the largest size bulbs you can find. The larger the bulb, the more flower spikes you will have on your plant. If you order your bulbs online, choose the jumbo size. Fill the bottom third of the pot with soil and gently place the bulb’s roots on top of the soil. Cover the bulb up to its rim, leaving the neck exposed. Water well with slightly warm water and place the pot in a sunny window. Water sparingly until the bulb begins to grow. This may take several weeks. During this period it is important not to over water or you run the risk of rotting the bulb before it has put out roots. Once your bulb begins to show signs of life, it will begin to grow rapidly. Most bulbs push up flower stalks first, followed by leaves. When the blooms have faded, cut the stalk at the base of the bulb and place the pot back in the window, keeping it evenly moist. After the bulb is done blooming feed it every two to three weeks with a well-balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. When spring arrives, place your plant outside in a shaded area after the danger of frost has passed. Most plants benefit greatly from a summer vacation outdoors, and amaryllis bulbs are no exception. Water and fertilize regularly until mid-September, then hold off the water until the leaves begin to turn slightly yellow. Once the leaves have begun to die back, place the bulb in a cool, dark location for another four to six weeks, and then repot in fresh potting soil and place it back in a sunny window for a repeat show just in time for the holidays.
Decking your halls is a sure-fire way to have a festive holiday. But decorating well doesn’t have to be stressful – check out these 10 quick tips. 1. Stay with one theme and style. It makes shopping for decor easier and makes your space feel professionally finished. 2. Let your nose know it’s the holiday season. For an aroma-filled extravaganza, place potpourri and scented candles near your entry and throughout your house. Or, better yet, bake some cookies shortly before guests arrive. 3. Choose two or three colors for your holiday palette, and keep it consistent. Multiple color palettes can be too distracting. Try silver, blue and white, or red, gold and brown. 4. Create an inexpensive family tradition that involves the kids. Purchase a ready-made wreath of greens, and gather items to decorate it. Use pinecones, ribbons, crystals, feathers, beaded garland or homemade paper snowflakes. 5. Give your space a different look and feel for this special time of year. Rearrange your furniture so the focal point becomes the fireplace or wherever you hang stockings. If you don’t have a fireplace, arrange the furniture to create the best layout for cozy conversations. 6. Colored lights can be costly if you change your color palette from year to year. Stick with white lights; they can be used with any color scheme. 7. Start investing in a collection – something that can continue to grow through the years and can be passed on to the next generation. Check out online auction sites for vintage decorations. 8. Use a lot of candles. Nothing makes a room feel warmer and more inviting than candlelight. 9. Bring the holiday celebration into every room. Kitchens and bathrooms are a great place to put smaller seasonal knickknacks. 10. The holiday season is definitely one time where “less is more” does not apply. Have fun and do it up big. – Courtesy Sienna Penik and Erin Oosterhouse on hgtv.com
Specialty Publications Editor
News and Press Releases
Advertising
kkritter@times-call.com, 303-684-5275
Home & Real Estate Weekly welcomes news on hirings, advancements, awards, classes and other information of interest to the real estate and home community. Please submit information to the editor by e-mail, fax 303-774-8088 or mail to 350 Terry St., Longmont, CO 80501. The deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. the week of publication.
The display advertising deadline is Tuesday at 3 p.m., and the classified line advertising deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. – both the week of publication. For advertising information, call 720-494-5445.
Specialty Publications Associate Editor sstair@times-call.com, 720-494-5429
On the Cover By following a few simple cultivation steps, virtually anybody can coax beautiful amaryllis bulbs to bloom indoors in the winter. See story above. (Tribune Media Services)
3