Amaryllis before it blooms

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This year I am watching spring arrive at different times in The Tropical Paradise. Right here, where there is plenty of sun, spring has already arrived very nicely. Just a few feet away, where there is more shade, spring is very slow in coming.

If your amaryllis is at this stage, give it plenty of water and plant food (I use the plant food spikes from the Dollar Store). Amaryllis are tropical so you have to convince them that they are growing in a rainy area down by the equator.

By the way, the plant behind it is a dioon edule cycad. You are looking at a fairly steep slope, as cycads do not like a lot of water, but amaryllis do. As the water drains from the cycad, it puddles a bit for the flower. A good combination!

OK, gotta go out and look at it again. That seems to help, too!


Update four days later



Update the next day (April 23rd)



Update the next day (April 24).

I tied it to a small bamboo stake as it was nearly sideways, reaching for the light. After this one blooms, I will move it to a sunnier area so that won't happen again. Amaryllis don't normally need staking.


Update April 26th.

The first indication of a flower bud began three weeks ago. I guess it helps to be patient!

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