Over the Garden Fence: A blossom in winter
Winter cheer came into my home over the last three weeks in the form of a high performing amaryllis named "White Nymph." As buds formed, their size promised enormous blooms. That is what happened. And each trumpet-like bloom opened with a double form. This week the fourth and last bloom measured 10 inches in diameter just as the three that came before. All jumbo displays.
Photographs were taken as each bloom followed the one before, sometimes separated by two days. The last one opened proudly. To me it was beautiful. The truth is that it was filled with imperfections. Looking into its face revealed irregular petals hugging the center. Tips of a few of these petals were dry. The style itself appeared as white thin strands rather than a single rod. It led to a separated cluster at the tip where the stigma looked blown apart. The whole thing would be a disaster in a flower show.
It gets worse. Each of the anthers was turned back towards the throat of the bloom. Some of those had immature endings indicating little or no pollen. Whoa. There were so many errors. And still incredible beauty sparkled over a three-week period through earlier blooming.
Amaryllis bulbs are perennial. They can bring startling joy for as long as 25 years. Now that this bulb has run its course there is a way to bring still another performance in the future. The plan is to make sure it can enter a period of rest for the next two months. The final bloom will be removed. The pot will be be taken to a darker spot where it is around 50 degrees. The long thin blades or leaves need to dry as dormancy gets underway.
If you have a bare root (bulb), first choose a pot in which the bulb is situated not much more than an inch from the edge. The bulb favors being pot bound which is a bit like being hugged by the pot. Potting soil or a sandy loam should be used up to a level where one-third of the bulb is exposed. Water thoroughly. Empty excess water from the saucer beneath. Place in a sunny spot. If this goes well expect blooming in 10 to 12 weeks.
Three more pots are coming in from the garage. Rested, they will now start on a journey which will end in more beauty towards spring. One company refers to amaryllis as "the art and soul of winter." As true as that may be, spring will be welcomed with the grandeur of amaryllis taking turns at showing off in a classy way, serene and proud, indoors.
Mary Lee Minor is a member of the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, an accredited master gardener, a flower show judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs and a former sixth grade teacher.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: An amaryllis named White Nymph and its jumbo blooms
