Amaryllis

[roboanna]

my amaryllis has now finished flowering .Can I keep th bulb for next year or is it spent? ta

[woofgang]

yup. Keep it in a warm bright place and keep it watered but not soaked and add a little flower or tomato plant food into the water. In the summer it can go outside in a sunny place. as it gets to autumn, let the bulb die down and dry off completely in a cool dry place. Come the beginning of november bring it into the warmth and light again and give a little water. if its not in much soil then repot it but the pot should be only just bigger than the bulb and the soil free draining but capable of holding moisture. Bulb fibre is good.

[wendilla]

I always have one every year but this year I have no flower coming through just the 2 outside leaves, Should I cut them back?

[Jumbo747]

My mother always says an Amaryllis won't flower in the second or subsequent years unless it has a minimum of 7 leaves. Keep feeding it (and counting the leaves!).

[boxtops]

My bulb is still very much alive, but hasn't done anything at all this year, no new shoots at all. The leaves didn't die back until well into the summer last year. I had it for a Christmas present so potted it in Jan 2012 and it flowered for months - so I cut the leaves off last autumn and just kept it moist. I still hope it will revive itself - it was magnificent this time last year!

[woofgang]

Don't cut the leaves off or the plant can't photosynthesise and feed itself. Let it grow on and only take the leaves off when they are dried out completely

[Robinia]

I did exactly as woofy's described and on xmas day the first glimpse of a leaf appeared and has continued to grow...it's lovely because a neighbour gave it to me who has since passed away so I'm really hoping it flowers again.

[woofgang]

It might need a year's rest Robi. The ones you buy are grown on and the flower spike is removed while its in bud for a few years to get the huge bulbs that are sold.

[roboanna]

ta very much. The reason I ask is that this year's is exceptionally pretty and I would like to see it again nxt year! Thanks all

[woofgang]

as I said above, you might not get flowers next year but if not then likely the year after.

[Buenchico]

I'm prepared to bet that your plant isn't an Amaryllis!

See here (which also tells you the best way to care for it)
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=118