Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) 'Appleblossom'

Where to Plant:

Plant Amaryllis 'Apple Blossom' in a bright, warm spot indoors, such as a sunny windowsill or conservatory, away from cold draughts and direct contact with hot radiators. It prefers bright, indirect light to start with, moving into a sunnier position as the buds form. Use a pot with good drainage holes and a free-draining, peat-free compost so the bulb never sits in waterlogged conditions.

How to Plant:

Choose a snug pot, just a few centimetres wider than the bulb, and half-fill it with compost, then sit the bulb on top so the top third remains above the surface. Gently firm compost around the roots, leaving the neck of the bulb exposed, and water lightly to settle it in. If planting several bulbs together for a fuller display, space them so they are not touching but still quite close for impact.

Aftercare:

Water sparingly until new growth appears, then keep the compost just moist, never soggy, and turn the pot every few days to keep the stems growing straight. As the tall flower stems develop, you can use a discreet stake if needed to support the heavy blooms. After flowering, remove the faded flower stems but keep the leaves, feeding and watering regularly through spring to rebuild the bulb, then allow it to dry off gradually and rest in a cool, frost-free place before starting the cycle again.