After paying all that money for an Amaryllis plant or Amaryllis bulbs this year, who wouldn’t want them to bloom again next year. Follow these simple instructions and that is just what will happen.

Amaryllis Plant Flowers

1. Cut the old flowers from the stem when they fade.

2. When the stem starts to sag, cut it back to the top of the bulb.

3. Continue to water and fertilize all summer or at least 5-6 months.

4. Allow the leaves to fully develop and grow. The leaves nourish the bulb and help it produce large flowers next year.

5. When the leaves begin to yellow, usually in the early fall, cut the plant back to about 2” from the top of the bulb

6. Now is the time to remove the bulb from the soil.

7. Clean the bulb and place it in a cool dark place (40-50 degrees) for a minimum  of six weeks. The refrigerator will work only if it does not contain apples. Apples will sterilize the bulbs and they’ll never produce another flower.

8. After six weeks replant the bulbs. Plant the bulbs about eight weeks before you want them to bloom for the holidays.