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People love amaryllis plants for their big, odd, trumpet-shaped flowers that can be brought inside to bloom in the winter. People who live in warm places often plant amaryllis plants in perennial beds outside after getting them as gifts or using them as holiday centerpieces.
In time and with the right amaryllis care, outdoor amaryllis bulbs will reproduce and naturalize. Dividing amaryllis plants is a good way to keep them healthy and make more of your own amaryllis bulb centerpieces. It can also be used to control amaryllis colonies.
Amaryllis bulbs can do well outside in most of the United States’ zones 8 through 11. Some types can even survive the winter in zone 7. In the right conditions, outdoor amaryllis plants will produce new bulbs each year, naturalizing into dense colonies. When too many bulbs form underground in a spot, they can begin to choke each other out. The overgrown clumps can be split up to give plants more room and help them grow again, just like lilies, hosta, daffodils, and many other plants. When to split amaryllis plants will depend on what you intend to do with the bulbs. You can get amaryllis from the garden in late summer or fall and force it to bloom for the holidays. However, garden amaryllis plants are usually divided in autumn months (October/November) or February and March in warmer regions. Dividing outdoor amaryllis plants at these times will allow them their natural dormancy period to form spring blooms.
Amaryllis bulbs are popular holiday gifts that produce gorgeous, trumpet-shaped blooms. With proper care, these bulbs can be propagated to produce additional plants. Splitting the bulbs is an easy and effective way to multiply your amaryllis.
When to Divide Amaryllis Bulbs
The best time to split amaryllis bulbs is after they have bloomed and the leaves have started to yellow and die back This is typically in late spring or early summer
Dividing the bulbs while they are actively growing or in full bloom can shock and damage them Allow the foliage to completely die down first,
Steps for Splitting Amaryllis Bulbs
Splitting amaryllis bulbs takes just a few simple steps
Remove Old Foliage and Roots
Start by cutting off any remaining foliage and trimming away the roots. Give the bulb a good rinse to remove all soil.
Allow Bulb to Dry
Place the bulb in a warm, dry spot for 1-2 days. This allows any cuts or nicks to callus over and prevent rotting.
Cut Off Excess Bulb
Using a sterilized, sharp knife, carefully slice off the top one-third of the bulb. Removing this excess helps give the bulb a rounded shape for replanting.
Slice Bulb into Sections
Make vertical slices from top to bottom through the bulb, cutting it into sections. Aim for sections that are roughly 2 inches wide.
Each piece must have some of the basal plate attached – this is the white, fleshy part at the very bottom. The basal plate is where new roots will emerge from.
Allow Slices to Dry
Place the sliced sections in a dry spot for 12-24 hours before replanting. This helps prevent any diseases or fungi from developing on the cuts.
Replant Bulb Sections
Once dried, plant the individual wedges right-side up in pots with drainage holes. Bury them just deep enough so the top of the bulb is visible.
Use a well-draining potting mix and water sparingly until new growth appears.
Caring for Newly Divided Bulbs
The bulblets may take 2-3 years to bloom. Here are some tips for caring for newly divided amaryllis:
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Place in bright, indirect light
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Water when soil feels dry 1-2 inches deep
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Feed monthly with diluted liquid fertilizer
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Allow foliage to fully die back in summer before removing it
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Give bulbs a dormancy period of 8-10 weeks before forcing blooms
Troubleshooting Issues with Divided Bulbs
Here are some common issues and solutions for propagated amaryllis:
Rotting bulbs – Make sure to sterilize tools and thoroughly dry bulbs after dividing before replanting. Discard any mushy bulbs.
No blooms – Small bulblets may take a few years to bloom. Ensure bulbs get adequate sunlight and nutrition.
Few roots – Don’t overwater new bulbs until a robust root system develops. Keep soil on the drier side.
Leaves but no flowers – Give bulbs an adequate dormancy period of at least 8 weeks before forcing bloom.
Flowers smaller – Apply fertilizer regularly and make sure bulbs are large and mature enough before forcing them.
Leggy foliage – Insufficient light causes stretched leaves. Rotate plant or supplement with grow lights.
The Benefits of Dividing Amaryllis
Dividing amaryllis bulbs has many advantages:
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Propagates new bulbs quickly and easily
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Prevents overcrowding when bulblets emerge
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Encourages larger, healthier flowers
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Allows you to produce more plants from a single bulb
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Provides bulbs to give as gifts or use in displays
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Maximizes growth before bulbs become dormant
Amaryllis bulbs are one of the easiest flowering bulbs to propagate. With proper timing and aftercare, dividing bulbs will allow you to enjoy an expanding collection of these stunning winter-blooming plants.
How to Divide Amaryllis Bulbs in the Garden
Before amaryllis plant division, you should prepare the new site or containers. Add soil or amendments to provide a well-draining, healthy soil to reduce transplant shock. Amaryllis bulbs will benefit from the addition of rich, organic matter. Pre-dig holes with a bulb planter or auger. In places where winters are dry, you might need to water the planting area a lot 24 hours before you start digging to make the soil easier to work with. You can also trim off any stalks and foliage remaining on the amaryllis at this point. Use a sharp garden spade to cut a circle around the clump of amaryllis bulbs. Keep the spade a few inches (8 cm. ) away from any bulbs and cut deeply down into the soil. Then, carefully lift the group of bulbs out of the ground. A garden fork is often used for this step. Once the selected amaryllis has been dug up, carefully remove the soil around the bulbs. You can get a better view by giving the bulbs a quick rinse with water or a light shake. Some bulbs may just fall off or separate from the group, but you might need to use a clean, sharp knife to cut the bulbs apart. Carefully look over each bulb and throw away any that look sick, mushy, or like they have been eaten by bugs, like holes they’ve made in them. The remaining healthy bulbs should be planted immediately in the garden or designated containers. Plant bulbs 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm. ) deep and water thoroughly.
Flower Bulbs : How to Divide Amaryllis Bulbs
FAQ
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