It's hard to believe that the holidays are already on the way! While we may be focusing on our fall activities and putting our gardens to sleep, it's also the perfect time to prepare those amazing Christmas gifts you always plan to give, but don't often get around to in time.
You are in luck, however, because we have the quintessential gift in mind for those in your life who not only love plants and flowers, but appreciate a high-quality, thoughtful and meaningful gift. The best part? This gift is super easy to assemble.
Enter the Amaryllis.
If you haven't met the Amaryllis yet, my friend, prepare to be wowed. Grown from an enormous bulb, the Amaryllis is a tropical plant in the lily family that is often forced to bloom indoors around the holidays. There are more than 90 species of Amaryllis, but the colors typically range from red to pink, magenta to tangerine, cream to bright white. Most varieties are solid colors, but some have stripes or freckles, or even picotee edges. All are stunningly beautiful.
Amaryllis can send up to five stalks from the bulb with four to six large, richly colorful blooms on each stalk. After the first stalk blooms, it will often shoot up more stalks, resulting in a bloom time between two to six weeks!
The best part is that each bulb can be trained to rebloom on an annual basis. If given the proper care, one Amaryllis bulb can produce blooms for decades to come. It can even be planted outdoors in the garden during the warmer months (or as a perennial in Zones 9 and up).
Talk about the gift that keeps on giving!
Traditionally in the United States, the Amaryllis is most seen around the holidays, from the Thanksgiving table and the most elegant of Christmas displays, to even Valentine's Day if desired.
Just after Halloween is the best time to force a fresh Amaryllis if you want it to bloom before year's end. With this knowledge in mind, if you are planning a DIY Amaryllis gift, now is the time to get it potted, or put into the display of your choice.
Check out our exclusive Amaryllis Guide for the specifics on potting up your bulbs.
5 Clever Ways to Gift Amaryllis
Now that you aware of this truly incredible plant, and why it makes a great gift, here are some creative DIY projects to wow your loved ones with Amaryllis this holiday season.
1) Hydroponic Display
The term 'hydroponic" simply means that the plant is grown in water or a nutrient-rich liquid instead of traditional potting methods. Amaryllis grow beautifully if their roots (not the entire bulb) are submerged in water in a glass or transparent vessel.
Tip: Make sure the top of the bulb does not sit in water (it will rot) and receives plenty of fresh oxygen. The vessel will need to be wide enough to allow for the bulb's neck and ultimately, the stalks that will emerge from it.
Estimated cost: $15 - $35
In the image above, river stones hold the large bulb in place and a few inches of water were added to reach just the roots of the bulb. Dried moss was added as a decorative filler and to retain moisture.
2) Creative Containers
Since the Amaryllis doesn't really need much to force into bloom (if held in the correct environment), you can plant it into any 6" to 9" container that will allow for around an inch of space between the inside of the container and the bulb (Amaryllis like to be snug). Some ideas are decorative boxes, small serving bowls, antique objects or more. Just be sure to line the item with a plastic plant saucer or other container that will keep the item from being ruined when soil and water is added.
Tip: If your selected vessel does not have a drainage hole, place a layer of activated charcoal into the container or liner (see above) before you add the soil. This will keep bacteria growth to a minimum and will help control moisture.
Estimated cost: $15 - $35
In the image above, a plastic saucer was inserted into the box and a thin layer of activated charcoal was added to protect the wooden box from water damage. Next, soil was added to stabilize the bulb and it was topped off with dried moss.
3.) Wax Coating
Recently, we've been seeing more and more wax-coated bulbs being offered by bulb companies. Amazingly, the bulbs do produce a blooming stalk or two with this method (though the wax will need to be removed to force again later in the year)!
The bulbs are dipped in paraffin wax, dyed with candle dye or rolled in glitter or gold leaf, and simply set on a tray or saucer amongst other holiday decorations. The result is sure to be a conversation starter!
Tip: Make sure the bulbs are thoroughly soaked in water before placing in wax and be sure to cut off the roots and basal plate from the bottom of the bulb. Check out this article for more information.
Estimated cost: $10 - $45
4) Give the Bulbs
The classic way that gardening friends give Amaryllis is through carefully-selected high quality bulbs. They simply place the bulb in a decorative paper sack or small gift box and affix the plant tag to the outside. The recipient can then force the bulb with any timeframe and method of their choosing.
Tip: Choose from bulbs that are 30 cm in diameter or larger to ensure the highest quality bulb and the largest quantity of blooms.
Estimated cost: $10 - $25
5) Pre-potted Amaryllis
Likely the most traditional way of giving Amaryllis, pre-potted Amaryllis are a simple way to ensure your gift gets the best start possible. With this method, you can ensure the bulb gets the nutrients it needs in a high-quality soil and fertilizer application. See our Amaryllis Guide for specific potting instructions. Be sure to begin forcing the bulb 3 to 4 weeks before giving it away.
Tip: Choose a beautiful 6" to 9" pot that is heavy, such as a clay or ceramic pot. A pot with a drainage hole and matching saucer is ideal, but not imperative. You can add a layer of activated charcoal to the bottom of your pot if it does not have a hole.
Estimated cost: $25 - $50
Of course the initial investment to produce each gift will vary on the supplies you obtain, including the bulb itself, the vessel, potting soil, and soil amendments such as charcoal and fertilizer.
That's a Wrap
Each of these gift methods should come in under $50 to produce, often much less. However, if you'd like to go the simplest option possible, let us take care of the gift for you! We currently offer two beautiful varieties of Amaryllis in our online Flower Shop. Both come in a striking hand-painted terra cotta pot and include some of the finest bulbs available on the market. "Double King" will be delivered to our local customers the week of Thanksgiving and "Christmas Gift" (forcible kit) can be shipped the second week of November through the end of the year.
We hope that this gifting guide will inspire you to explore the beautiful world of Amaryllis. Happy Holidays!
Thank you for choosing to join our family on this grand adventure, as we grow something beautiful, meaningful and good. If we haven't met yet, we are Sara and Teddy Wilson and we own Oklahoma Cut Flower Company in Norman, Oklahoma. We are a micro-farm that grows specialty cut flowers to educate and inspire our local flower-loving community. We are members of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers.
You can learn more about us and join our adventures by subscribing to our email list and following us on Instagram and Facebook.
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