severe losses at Lakemont Gardens from the freezing of Amaryllis bulbs in pots left 
outside on cold nights when temperatures took a rare dip down to the middle 20's 
or so. 
There should be an inch of broken crocks or pebbles in the bottoms of pots to 
assure Amaryllis of good drainage. We use a crock piece over the hole and a wad 
of Spanish Moss, which is fibrous and lasts a long time, as big as one’s fist, under 
the potting soil. Sunk to the rim in some,medium which can be warmed, the bulbs 
will root faster and produce a better bloom in the spring. Without some warmth 
underneath to assure a soil temperature of at least 75 degrees, the bulbs may bloom 
without new roots at all, and may lose a year of their blooming life as a result. 
Sometimes they will be so badly retarded by blooming without new roots, that it 
takes two or three seasons to restore them to a healthy, robust condition again. 
Sometimes bulbs die when mistreated this way. 
Long-Lived Bulbs 
Of course, if you don’t care, it’s all right with us, but we would rather have 
our bulbs live long and do well for you. There is no limit to Amaryllis bulb’s life, 
Under proper culture it renews itself annually and with no major pests, barring 
accident it might live a thousand years. Dr. Henry Nehrling wrote of growing the 
same bulb 25 years in the same tub. 
Actually, it is the worst possible treatment to bloom a bulb with no new root 
system, not re-established, that is, in its new pot, and then to set seed on it. The 
tax on the bulb’s resources may be fatal. Of course some bulbs can “take it” and 
perform well every year, reviving themselves completely during the subsequent 
summer and fall growing season. There are vigorous bulbs which will “come back” 
like this in all strains, imported and domestic, so it is no particular character of one. 
After the first season it is no burden on the well-established bulb to send up two or 
three scapes and set a reasonable quantity of seed. It will usually recover without 
difficulty. But with no or few roots, the drain on the bulb’s strength is severe. 

Hayward Photos 
Left: Bulb of Hayward Strain, pleasing cherry-red flaring trumpet-shaped type. 
We may introduce this as a named variety. 
Right: Informal type pure white Dutch Hybrid Amaryllis. 
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