Alright, let’s talk amaryllis! You know those big, beautiful bulbs that explode with color around the holidays? Yeah, those. I finally got around to repotting mine, and figured I’d share how it went down.
First things first, I grabbed my supplies. We’re talking a new pot (just a tad bigger than the old one – amaryllis like being snug), some fresh potting mix (something well-draining is key), and of course, the bulb itself. Oh, and a trowel to scoop the dirt, and maybe some gloves if you don’t like getting your hands dirty.
Then, I carefully dug out the bulb from its old pot. It’s usually pretty root-bound, so you gotta be gentle. I used the trowel to loosen the soil around the edges, and then just kind of wiggled the bulb free. Be careful not to damage the roots too much!
Once I had the bulb out, I inspected the roots. Any that were mushy or brown got snipped off with some clean scissors. Healthy roots are firm and whitish, so those are the ones you want to keep.
Next up, getting the new pot ready. I put a layer of the fresh potting mix in the bottom, just enough so that when I placed the bulb in, the top third or so would still be sticking out of the soil. Amaryllis like to be planted with their “shoulders” above ground, you see.
I centered the bulb in the pot and then filled in around it with more potting mix. I didn’t pack the soil down too tight – you want those roots to be able to breathe! Just gently tamped it down to keep everything in place.
After that, I gave it a good watering. Not soaking wet, but enough to moisten the soil all the way through. And then I stuck it in a sunny spot. Amaryllis need plenty of light to bloom properly.
Now comes the waiting game. It can take a few weeks for the bulb to start sprouting again, but don’t worry, that’s normal. Just keep the soil lightly moist and be patient. And before you know it, you’ll have another gorgeous amaryllis bloom to enjoy!
A little tip I learned along the way: Don’t overwater! Amaryllis bulbs are prone to rot if they sit in soggy soil. So, let the soil dry out a bit between waterings.
And that’s pretty much it! Repotting amaryllis isn’t rocket science, but it’s a great way to keep your bulbs healthy and blooming for years to come. Hope this helps!
