Gardening for You: Anyone can grow a wax Amaryllis
A lot is happening today, Dec. 21. At 3:48 p.m. CST, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the winter solstice.
The solstice, from Latin sol, meaning “sun” and sistere ,“to stand still,” is only a moment in time, but it is significant as on this day the astronomical first day of winter begins. Today is the shortest day of the year, with the fewest hours of sunlight. Starting tomorrow, days begin to lengthen.
And as of today, there are only four more shopping days until Christmas. Amaryllis is a popular holiday present, and a wax Amaryllis is a great gift for someone who says, “they cannot grow anything.”
Anyone can grow a wax Amaryllis. Everything an Amaryllis needs to grow and produce a large bloom is contained in its waxed bulb. Amazing.
The stunning inflorescence is the reward for growing an Amaryllis. The statuesque inflorescence is borne on the tip of a tall, sturdy flower stalk. Showy, funnel-shaped, trumpet-like flowers can be crimson, salmon, white, or red and white striped.
Some trivia when gifting an Amaryllis.
In Greek mythology, Amaryllis was a beautiful shepherdess who fell in love with the shepherd Alteo. Alteo rejected the shepherdess Amaryllis, instead he desired to find a new flower. However, the shepherdess Amaryllis was persistent; she knocked on Alteo’s door for 30 consecutive nights.
Yet Alteo never answered the door and in her anguish she pierced her heart with golden arrows. When Alteo finally opened his door he found a crimson flower sprouting from the blood of Amaryllis’ heart. Amaryllis symbolizes determination and beauty because of the shepherdess’ persistence.
The scientific name of this flowering bulb is Amaryllis belladonna. Amaryllis from the Greek amarussein, “to sparkle,” and belladonna from the Italian, “beautiful or fair lady.” Like the legend, the inflorescence is a bold blossom that lasts for several weeks. The bulb is perennial and will bloom year after year given proper conditions.
A wax Amaryllis requires no water or soil to produce a bloom. Just place the bulb in bright light and wait for the bulb to do its thing – green sword-like leaves emerge followed by the flower stalk with its blossoms on the tip of the flower stalk.
Bloom cycles of Amaryllis can be repeated giving years of enjoyment from one bulb. After blooms wither, cut back the flower stalk to just above the bulb; peel wax from the bulb; plant in soil; water sparingly, keep moist but not saturated. Place bulb in bright, indirect light. Keep cool.
Next spring, when leaves reemerge, place the bulb in higher light or move outdoors into partial sun. Fertilize with weak nitrogen solution to encourage foliage growth. Maintain soil moisture but do not overwater as bulbs will rot. Continue dilute fertilization to promote foliage. A new inflorescence will be produced in several weeks.
Amaryllis is one Christmas gift that keeps on giving.
Note: Some information from A Contemplation Upon Flowers; namesofflowers.com
Ellen Peffley taught horticulture at the college level for 28 years, 25 of those at Texas Tech, during which time she developed two onion varieties. She is now the sole proprietor of From the Garden, a market garden farmette. You can email her at gardens@suddenlink.net
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Gardening for You: Anyone can grow a wax Amaryllis
