To speed up the growth process of your amaryllis, soak the bulbs in water for a few hours before planting. Use a pot that is not too big, as amaryllis do best when pot-bound. Fill the pot with compost and place the bulb on top, then water it well. Leave the bulb in a warm, dark place for two weeks until a shoot emerges, then bring it inside. Expect flowers to bloom in six to eight weeks.
If you want to enjoy amaryllis flowers throughout the Easter season, stagger your planting by counting back eight weeks from the desired flowering period. For Christmas flowers, plant the bulbs in September. Regardless of the variety of amaryllis, they all require a rich, well-drained growing medium in a warm, bright location. Incorporate gravel or sand, leaf mold, or well-rotted manure into multi-purpose compost for optimal growth.
When planting your amaryllis bulb, choose a tight container that allows only a couple of inches of mulch around the bulb. Soak the bulb and roots in lukewarm water for a few hours, then fill the pot halfway with peat-free multi-purpose compost. Set the bulb in place so that the top sits just above the pot, fill around it with compost, and gently harden the soil. Water thoroughly and let the pot drain before placing a layer of garden grits around the bulb to keep the soil moist.
