Beyond the Tag - Part 2 You have been blessed by a loved one who thoughtfully gave you a lovely plant for the holidays or maybe you just couldn’t resist that plant sitting on the shelf screaming to you “buy me, buy me!” but now what? Like many others, myself included, the “tag” just does not give enough information to help you keep your plant thriving for the months or years to come. This article will provide you with information on one of the most popular plants purchased during the holiday season, the Amaryllis. The Amaryllis is s a tropical bulb. Caution, they are poisonous. Keep out of reach of small children and household pets to prevent accidental ingestion. They produce very large flowers that lasts for weeks. For example, an Amaryllis that blooms late December to mid-January. Much like many flowering winter flowers, these are timed to bloom with the holiday season. Even though the flowers have wilted, the plant is not dead. An Amaryllis in bud or in flower needs to be kept cool and out of direct sunlight or even bright light. The plant prefers temperatures around 60 degrees, but will handle your household temperature. A good-size Amaryllis bulb usually puts up two, sometimes three flower stems. Cut each stem back once
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Article submitted by the Gibson County Master Gardeners
the flower dies to keep it from going to seed. Allowing the seeds to develop the plant’s energy goes to the seed development and not to the-nourishment of the bulb. The leaves from the plant “feed” the bulb, hence, remove the stem. Cut the stem near where it emerges from the bulb, you may see liquid emerging from the stem that is just an indication the bulb had sufficient water and will callus over. Once the bulb has finished flowering and the stems have been cut off, move the plant into direct sunlight from a south-facing window is ideal. By this time the plant should be producing long, bright green leaves, the bright light allows the plant to produce more food, don’t remove the leaves! Always keep the soil moist, but not soggy. The secret to getting an Amaryllis to rebloom during the winter months is to treat it as a typical annual. Move it outdoors in late spring and leave it there until fall. Amaryllises cannot survive freezing temperatures, so only once the chance of all frost has past, they can they stay outside 24/7. Once the soil temperature is 70 degrees, plant the bulb in an uncrowded spot, at least fifteen inches away from other plants. Be sure it will receive no more than four to six hours of sun a day. In hot weather, do not let the soil dry out, even if that means watering every day. Fertilize every two weeks. The plant should continue to produce leaves all summer. Before the chance of a frost, dig up the bulb. The plant must have a dormancy period of eight to twelve weeks. Indoors the Amaryllis needs little water and cool (about 50 degrees), dry, dim conditions. During this time cut back on watering, otherwise you risk the chance of root rot. The long leaves will turn yellow and fade and eventually can be removed. The bulb may look dead but rest assured it is very much alive. In eight to twelve weeks, you should see green growth - a new flower stem peeking out from the bulb. Place the pot in a warm and sunny area keeping the soil moist. Once the flowers open, place the plant in dimmer light and cooler temperatures to begin the cycle all over again. Next month the feature will be the Poinsettia.
Lyles Station Offers Adopt-A-Plot Program The Lyles Station Historic School and Museum has announced a new way for interested individuals to help beautify and maintain one of Gibson County’s historic sites. The Adopt-A-Plot program offers individuals or groups the option to plant/maintain selected garden areas on the museum grounds. Small signs may be displayed alongside each area recognizing the “adopters” or a designated family, business, church, club, or in-memoriam. A variety of spaces are available. The Lyles Station Historic School and Museum is located at 953 N 500 W, Princeton, Indiana. For more information, contact Neal Mustard at 812-664-0649.
November 2022
Small Town Living