After December holidays and in early January, amaryllis bulbs that did not sell are cheap. There are boxes of amaryllis in red, pink, white and apple blossom with expired blooms or green stem protrusions that escaped the boxes. Buy as many as you can afford that show a past life. Plant 3 to 5 bulbs to a pot. The bulbs need to be crowded to bloom. They will make a grand spring comeback. Allow the amaryllis to re-bloom naturally; cut off the flower stalks after blooming ceases, but let the foliage continue to grow as long as it can for this feeds the bulbs.
Keep it in bright light, indoors.Keep watering so the soil stays moist.New flower stalks should appear in a month or two. Fertilize at this time and move the plant to a warm, sunny spot. Leaves will follow shortly and then blooms. When the stems are tall enough, begin to use three strands of raffia to loosely braid them together around a slender wooden dowel placed in the center of the pot.
Other spring bulbs are cheap after the fall dates to plant have passed. They become difficult to plant, as the ground has hardened from the cold temperatures. If they are not planted they become worthless. Place paper white narcissus bulbs in your refrigerator and chill for a week or two before planting in pots. Keep indoors and around Valentine day they will show their love with blooms and perfume.
Plant other bulbs outdoors in pots beneath pansies or violas. After spring blooms and leaves disappear, they may be planted outdoors in the ground. This will give you space for purchasing and planting more ugly duckling bulbs at bargain prices.
Have a Blooming Happy New Year!
