Do you want enormous Amaryllis blooms in May? What to do after Christmas? Attempt to save them in pots for next Christmas, which is not too productive. A better choice is to plant them outside in raised beds where they will produce fantastic blooms for up to 75 years.
Amaryllis is winter hardy to zones 10-7 and possibly as far North as zone 6. They require filtered-shade to full sun, almost any soil, adequate moisture and good drainage. A six inch high amended raised bed is ideal. Optimally, planting in late summer or early October is recommended. However any time after the last frost, usually in April, works well.
Plant 14-18 inches apart and leave half of the bulb exposed! In beds the bulbs grow quite large, multiply rapidly and should be divided every 3-5 years. Dig and divide after the foliage has died back. Use the divisions to expand your beds or share with friends. You can also dig and pot a few from your beds in September for forcing for indoor winter bloom. Let them dry for a few months and repot. It’s like two bloom periods for the price of one!
Fertilize with a low nitrogen fertilizer 5-10-10, 5-10-15 or 6-12-12, at 1-1/2 lbs. per 100 square feet of bed. Too much nitrogen and too much shade will result in poor flowering. Make the first application when new growth begins, another when the stalks are 6-8 inches tall and another immediately after flowering. When they have finished flowering remove the flower stalks but NOT the leaves. You need them for photosynthesis to produce next year blooms.
In May the bloom stalks may be cut when the blooms are partially open and will last for weeks in a clear vase, provided the water is changed daily.
Mulch heavily with two feet of leaf mulch in winter and carefully rake away in late March when new growth begins.
