Amaryllis is treated by some as a seasonal home decoration, with many plants purchased in the run-up to Christmas and then discarded when the blooming period is over.
However, these tropical plants are actually perennial, and when you provide them with the right conditions and care, you can enjoy their blooms in winter or early spring over many years.
However, making sure that you do this job in a timely fashion will help ensure that you can keep your plant going and blooming well over a number of years.
The vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms of amaryllis bulbs are a stunning addition to any winter garden. While each bulb only blooms once per season, with proper care you can enjoy amaryllis flowers again and again for years to come. The key is learning when and how to cut back the flower stalk once blooming ends.
Timing the cut back of amaryllis blooms is important for the plant’s health. Doing it too soon prevents the leaves from fully fueling the bulb for next year’s flowers. Waiting too long risks rot entering the dying stems. By following some simple techniques at the right moment, you can maximize future re-blooming.
Understanding the Amaryllis Growth Cycle
To properly time cutting back amaryllis, it helps to understand the natural stages of the bulb throughout the year:
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Spring – The bulb begins sending up green, strap-like foliage. No flowers appear at this point. The leaves gather sunlight to nourish the bulb for next year’s blooms.
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Summer – The leaves reach full size to maximize food production for the bulb The plant is actively growing
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Fall – The leaves start dying back as the plant enters dormancy, Food reserves are stockpiled in the bulb,
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Winter – Flower stalks emerge and spectacular trumpet-shaped blooms open. This flowering stage lasts 4-6 weeks.
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Spring again – Blooms fade, stalks are cut back, and the cycle starts over.
The takeaway here is that the leaves fuel next year’s flowers You want those leaves as large and healthy as possible before removing them. Now let’s look at techniques for optimal post-bloom care
Signs It’s Time to Cut Back Amaryllis Blooms
It’s tempting to trim spent blooms immediately, but waiting for the right moment is crucial. Here are 3 signs it’s time:
- Flowers and stalks are withered, brown, and dry.
- Stalks feel hollow when squeezed.
- New leaves are a few inches tall, showing active growth.
Aim to trim 2-4 weeks after peak flowering once new foliage is established. Patience leads to the best results.
How to Cut Back Amaryllis Flower Stalks
When the time is right, use these steps to properly trim back amaryllis blooms:
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Remove individual spent flowers by pinching or snipping with sharp scissors or pruners.
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Identify where the main stalk meets the top of the bulb. There’s often a remnant.
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Use sterilized pruners to cut off the entire stalk 1-2 inches above the bulb. A slanted cut works well.
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Optionally dab the cut end with cinnamon to prevent infection.
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Discard the dried stalks and flowers in the yard waste.
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Water the plant and provide bright, indirect light as leaves continue to grow. Fertilize lightly if needed.
And that’s it! With the stalk gone, the plant focuses energy on leaf growth to fuel the bulb for next year’s blooms.
Caring for Amaryllis Leaves After Blooms Fade
Once blooms fade and stalks are removed, the leaves become the VIPs. Here’s how to care for them:
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Continue watering when the top inch of soil is dry. Don’t saturate.
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Place in a bright window but avoid hot direct sun. Turn the pot regularly.
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Stake taller leaves to prevent toppling and damage.
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Remove yellowing leaves promptly to prevent disease spread.
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Allow leaves to yellow and die back naturally in late summer.
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Once all leaves brown, cut them off, stop watering, and store the dormant bulb until fall.
Strong spring foliage is vital for repeat blooming. Be patient and allow them to grow.
What to Do if Leaves Emerge Before Flowers
Sometimes amaryllis bulbs start growing leaves before blooms emerge. This indicates insufficient chilling time to set buds. Here’s how to reset the plant:
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Allow the leaves to grow to about 5 inches tall.
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Carefully snap off the leaves at the base without damaging the bulb.
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Return the bulb to a cool 40-50°F location for 8-10 weeks.
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After cooling, resume watering and normal care. Flower stalks should now emerge properly.
This cooling period gets the bulb back into its natural cycle for future growth and re-blooming.
Troubleshooting Amaryllis Reblooming Problems
If your amaryllis fails to flower again after proper post-bloom care, here are some common issues and solutions:
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Insufficient sunlight – Move to a sunnier location during foliage growth.
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Incorrect storage temperatures – Keep the dormant bulb at 40-50°F.
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Overwatering during dormancy – Gradually reduce water starting in late summer.
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Forcing bloom too often – Allow the natural cycle every 2 years minimum.
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Nutrient deficiency – Fertilize monthly during leaf stage.
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Old bulbs – Discard and replace bulbs after forcing 3-6 times.
With the right care after blooms fade, you can nurture amaryllis to provide incredible winter flowers year after year.
Mastering Amaryllis Reblooming
Learning when and how to properly cut back spent amaryllis flowers takes some patience and diligence. But this important post-bloom chore, along with attentive year-round care, will keep bulbs thriving and blooming for seasons to come.
Stick to the techniques covered here, like:
- Waiting 2-4 weeks after peak flowering to trim stalks
- Cutting stalks 1-2 inches above the bulb
- Caring for foliage until it yellows naturally
- Storing the dormant bulb properly before fall planting
Before you know it, you’ll have the amaryllis reblooming process mastered. Anticipate those vibrant trumpet blooms bursting forth each winter from the bulbs you nurtured through a proper natural growth and dormancy cycle. Just be sure to cut back the stalks at the optimal time, and you’ll enjoy amaryllis flowers for years of wintertime joy.
When To Cut Back Amaryllis
Cut back the flowers on your amaryllis as soon as they begin to fade.
In other words, cut through the flowering stems near the base once the flowers begin to wilt and turn brown.
Make sure that you only cut the flowering stems and not any leaves, as the leaves are still very much required over the summer months.
Why Cut Back Flowers?
Cutting back the flowering stems after the blooms are done prevents the plant from putting any energy into producing seeds.
For the plant to rebloom successfully the following year, you want it to put all its energy into producing foliage that is healthy and strong, able to photosynthesise and store energy that will remain in the bulb to produce new growth and flowers after the dormant period.
Amaryllis Done Blooming? Here’s What to Do // Garden Answer
FAQ
Where do I cut my amaryllis after flowering?
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Cut the Flower Stalk:Once the blooms have faded and the flowering is complete, use a sharp knife or pruners to cut the flower stalk to within 1-2 inches of the bulb.
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Leave the Leaves:Do not cut back the leaves immediately after the flowers fade. The leaves are essential for the plant to store energy and prepare for the next bloom cycle.
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Wait for Natural Yellowing:Allow the leaves to naturally yellow and die back before cutting them back.
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After the Leaves Die Back:Once the leaves have fully yellowed or turned brown and withered, you can cut them back to about 1-2 inches above the bulb.
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Prepare for Dormancy:After the leaves die back, place the amaryllis bulb in a cool, dark, and dry place for a period of dormancy (around 6-12 weeks).
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Re-potting:After the dormancy period, you can gently remove the bulb from the pot, pull off any dry leaves, and replant it in fresh potting soil, leaving about a third of the bulb exposed.
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Water and Fertilize:Water the plant as needed, keeping the soil barely moist, and fertilize monthly with a standard liquid houseplant fertilizer.
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Outdoor Placement:When spring arrives and the weather has settled, you can move the potted bulb outdoors in a partially shaded location.
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Bring Indoors:Bring the potted bulb indoors when fall approaches, before any danger of frost, and place it in a cool, relatively dark place to initiate flower formation.
When should amaryllis be cut back?
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Timing is Crucial:Cutting back leaves prematurely can hinder the plant’s ability to store energy for the next bloom cycle.
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Natural Yellowing:Wait for the leaves to naturally yellow and wither, indicating they are no longer actively photosynthesizing.
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After Flowering:After the amaryllis has finished flowering, you can cut off the faded flower stalks, but allow the leaves to continue growing until they naturally yellow and die.
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Energy Storage:The leaves are vital for photosynthesis, which helps the bulb store energy for future blooms.
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Rest Period:Once the leaves have yellowed and withered, the plant enters a brief rest period before restarting growth.
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Reblooming:To encourage reblooming, place the amaryllis bulb in a cool, dark location for 8-10 weeks, then move it to a warmer, brighter location and resume watering and fertilizing.
What do you do if your amaryllis grows too tall?
If they grow too tall, you may cut them: Amaryllis are among the best, most long-lasting of cut flowers. After the flowers have faded, cut them off to prevent unnecessary seed formation, but leave the stalk in place to die back naturally. It helps to feed the bulb.
When should I cut back Amaryllis leaves?
When is the best time to cut back amaryllis leaves? Amaryllis leaves continue to provide energy for the bulb after flowering, and should be left until they have yellowed. This is usually in spring, but regular inspection will help you to decide when the leaves are ready to be cut back.
What happens if you cut back an Amaryllis?
Amaryllis plants are sensitive and can be easily damaged if they are cut back too much. If the leaves are cut too short, the plant may not have enough energy to keep growing and could even die. In conclusion, when cutting back an amaryllis, it is important to leave two or three leaves on the stem.
How do you cut back an Amaryllis?
When cutting back an amaryllis, it is important to start by removing any dead or diseased leaves. This helps to get rid of any potential sources of infection or disease that could be harmful to the plant. Once this is done, the gardener should then remove the oldest foliage, which is usually the leaves at the bottom of the stem.