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Plants & Care
Planting Bulbs
Amarylli
It can take weeks before amaryllis bulbs start sprouting, depending on
the variety and the treatment they have been given by the grower.
However, if you buy a pot amaryllis with visible sprouts, it will start
flowering within a few weeks. The best place for your amaryllis is a
sunny or light spot, otherwise the stems will stretch out too far in
order to search for the light. A warm spot near a heat source will do,
but once your amaryllis starts flowering it is better move it to a cooler
spot.
When you buy an amaryllis bulb, you can usually see whether is has
one or two buds. Each bud can produce 4 to 5 flowers. When the first
stem has left off flowering, cut off the stem. Sometimes, if you are lucky,
you can even have a third stem. Flowering amarylli can become top-heavy
and topple over. This can be prevented by using a heavier pot and by
supporting the stem.
Hyacinths
When buying potted hyacinths, always check whether the soil is not
too dry. Put the pot in a sunny or light spot, otherwise the stems will
stretch out too far in order to search for the light. Once the hyacinths
start to flower, you can cut down on the watering. Hyacinths should
not be put too close to a heat source, because too much warmth will
reduce the flowering period and can dry out the buds. Some varieties
produce heavy flowers, which are likely to topple over.
If you have a pot with two or more hyacinths, you can prevent this by
tying a piece of strong around the bunches, keeping them together.
Another option is to support them with a thin stick.
Narcissi
When buying potted narcissi, always check whether the soil is not
too dry. Put the pot in a sunny or light spot, otherwise the stems
will stretch out too far in order to search for the light. Once the narcissi
start to flower, you can cut down on the watering. Narcissi should not
be put too close to a heat source, because too much warmth will
shorten the flowering period and can dry out the buds.
After flowering, the bulbs can be planted in the garden. There is a
good chance that they will flower again the next year.
Other
In addition to those described above, there are many other types of
bulbs which can be bought as potted bulbs. Here are general tips:
- Put your potted bulbs in a sunny or light spot
- The pots should not be put too close to a heat source, especially not once they start flowering
- Once the bulbs start flowering, cut down on the watering
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