If you are planting your Hippeastrum’s now, you are too late — unless you are like me, and rather appreciate having the fantastic blooms in January and February rather than at the holidays. In my book, this time of year needs not another thing to take care of or another bit of decoration, so I save these for when the baubles come down.
This year, I am at the whim of a neighbor who has decided to travel for the winter. He handed off a whole room full of plants to care for (I so hope my sun porch does not get too cold!!). Amongst the giant orchids and the burgeoning buckets of clivias are also about 10 Amaryllis pots that he has kept for many years. I have just started watering them to coax them from dormancy and I am looking forward to what surprising colors might await.

Hippeastrum bulbs take about 6 to 8 weeks from potting to flowering, so plan accordingly — bulbs potted now will be flowering around valentines day.

1. Hippeastrum, 2. Hippeastrum papilio, 3. Amaryllis – Ritterstern (Hippeastrum), 4. Hippeastrum’s greenest battle: Luna vs. Lemon Lime :o), 5. hippeastrum…, 6. Hippeastrum EVERGREEN

If you are looking for exotic varieties, interesting colors and varied petals, check out the extensive collection at Willow Creek Gardens (not cheap), normally Brent and Becky’s generally have a great mid priced, good value for money selection, but at this time of year, they are simply sold out.  But if you want bang for your buck and are willing to take whatever color or variety – there are generally inexpensive bulbs in most local grocery stores and they tend to get cheaper the closer we get to Dec. 25th.

1. (Hippeastrum striatum) # Original= (2995 x 2727), 2. ‘Candy Floss’ “Estrella del Caballero”(Hippeastrum hybrid ), 3. Delicate and elegant throat of an “Apple Blossom” Hippeastrum, 4. Sweet Belladonna. Hippeastrum Nagano “Galaxy” (or popularly: Amaryllis), Hortus Botanicus, Leiden, The Netherlands