And there were!
I have quite a few pots of Amaryllis, and while only a few apparently plan on blooming this year, one was gloriously open. This is Bolero, a medium-sized semi-double.
Such a fabulous bright scarlet! The main bulb has this stem, with 6 blooms, 4 open so far, plus a smaller one coming up fast. It is surrounded by 5 other slightly smaller bulbs, one of which is also showing a nose. I don't know why they don't all bloom at the same time - maybe they will next year. I started with 3 bulbs and now there are 6. Not too shabby.
On the other hand, most of the other 50+ Amaryllis won't be blooming this year. My guess is that I left them growing too long in the Fall and thus they haven't had a long enough dormancy. Getting Amaryllis to re-bloom isn't quite as bad as growing Morning Glories (I know 50 ways to kill a Morning Glory) but they do have to be treated exactly right or they just don't bloom. Usually I leave them outside only until October, at which time I tell them firmly that they are going dormant, cut all the leaves off, and lie them on their sides in the back of the plant shed where it is warm and dark, but this Fall was so warm I didn't bring them in until late November. I brought them into the light in January as usual, but so far there are a lot of leaves and very few flower stalks. Guess I learned something.
Another of the Clivia seedlings is showing buds. These seeds were from a strain bred to give yellow flowers. One bloomed in the Fall, and truly was yellow. Maybe this one will be too!
Several of the orchids also have buds developing.
It may finally be cold and snowy outside, but it's warm and colourful inside!
Well, if there isn't a more welcome sight than a brilliant red houseplant seen against the snow through the window...
ReplyDeleteI too am waiting for amaryllis and clivia blooms. Heartening and hopeful, at this time of year! Yours are lovely.
Thank you, Zoe. By the way, I love your bunny drawing! You caught the reclined bunny pose perfectly!
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