Garden Q&A: Will my amaryllis flower again this December?

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

The amaryllis flower. File pictures

My amaryllis flowered beautifully last Christmas. The bulb is still just sitting in the pot in the same compost now. I have kept it in the shed. Will this flower again this year?

ANSWER

Yes, amaryllis are bulbs and will flower each year if you follow a few simple steps. 

It is the temperature that triggers amaryllis bulbs into growth. 

The temperature will need to be 15C-20C for growth to start so I suggest moving it in from the shed and into the house.

Start it off in a dark position and moisten the compost until the shoots emerge and then move into a bright and sunny position. 

At this stage, you could feed the soil with a good quality houseplant or tomato food to promote flower buds. 

It will take six to eight weeks from bringing the bulb inside to flowering. 

Keep the compost damp without being too wet and it's a good idea to turn the pot slightly each day to keep the stem growing straight and stake with a bamboo cane if necessary.

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