OK, this post is coming much later than I wanted it to. This ended up being an event filled weekend for me. With more snow and sub-zero temperatures for the past three days, along with being sick, a toddler mishap at an indoor bounce house that included a very bloody nose, and furnace issues that come with too much ice build-up from these crazy temperatures, it has not been the most ideal weekend for me. I was looking forward to a relaxing long weekend, too!

Now, it’s time to regroup and get back to normal. Some what I guess.

I hope everyone had a nice Valentine’s Day– between being sick and blizzard conditions, my husband and I elected to stay in and celebrate Valentine’s Day by exchanging cards and eating a heart-shaped pizza. It was good!

This was happening yet again on Saturday for us:

So, while I sat inside going stir-crazy, I started moving things around as usual. Pictures on walls and plants and other “dust catchers” moved to other places. I bought some pretty tulips to brighten up the bleak white landscape around us.

I then happened upon my pretty Amaryllis that has long withered-away at this point. I then wondered, “Can I still use this bulb?” I hated to just throw it out!

So, I did my research, and yes, you can re-bloom your Amaryllis bulbs.

Here’s how:

• At this point, the bulb is exhausted and needs some rest. Cut down the stalk of the flowering bloom. DO NOT CUT the leaves. They provide the food for the “exhausted” bulb.

*Don’t cut the leaves like I did above. It’s wrong. I got a little cut-crazy and cut my whole stem off. Apparently you aren’t supposed to do that. Just cut down the stem that the blossom was on, not the leaves. Another example of Learning As I Grow!! I am still going to try to salvage this bulb.

• Put the bulb in a sunny window and fertilize it.
• Once spring has come and the threat of frost is gone, plant it outdoors in a sunny location.
• In the fall, wait for the frost to hit the leaves until they are brown and then cut the leaves.
• Bring the bulb inside and keep it in a cool dry place for 8-10 weeks. And then re-pot the bulb and water it.
• Don’t water it again until you see new growth.

I hope this helps anybody who is interested in keeping their Amaryllis bulbs instead of getting rid of them.

Has anybody made the mistake that I did and cut all the leaves off, and was still able to salvage the bulb? Please let me know!