Lovely Amaryllis
"You,
Tityrus, stretched in shade, teach forests to echo the beauteous Amaryllis."
- from the First Eclogue of Vergil, Ancient Roman Poet
'Tis the season for growing amaryllis, which means "sparkling".
Originating in the Andes Mountains in Chile and Peru, the amaryllis
was first discovered in 1828 by a physician from Leipzig on a plant
expedition in Chile. Thus it obtained its botanical name, hippeastrum,
which means "star from the (land of) horses".
Amaryllis bulbs, available in Fall and early Winter, are easy to grow,
magnificent to behold when in bloom, and bloom for several years. The
flower stalks (often two per bulb) grows to 18-24 inches and the star
lily-like blooms are 4-6 inches wide. The bloom colors can be white,
salmon, pink, red, and variations in-between, including some with "stripes".
An amaryllis bulb make a wonderful gift. Kits with a pot, soil, and
bulb are readily available around the holidays, but it is simple to
assemble your own. 
Just
be sure to attach growing instructions.
How to Grow an Amaryllis
Plant an amaryllis bulb in a pot which is 3-4 inches wider than the
bulb. Use well-drained potting mixture and plant bulb so that 1/2 to
1/3 of bulb is above the soil line. Several bulbs can be planted together
in a larger post, as well. Place in a warm,sunny location. Water well,
then don't water again until shoots appear.
As
the leaves and flower stalk(s)/stem(s) are growing, water regulary when
the soil is dry. Turn the pot every two days to ensure straight growth
of the flower stalk(s). Blooms should open 6-8 weeks after planting.
When flowering, move to a less sunny location to prolong blooms. Stake
blooms ifnecessary.
When blooms are spent, remove them and treat amaryllis like a houseplant,
watering and fertilizing regularly. Move pot to a partially sunny location
outdoors during the summer, if desired. In the Fall, move pot to a dark
cool place and cease watering. After 6-8 weeks remove the brown leaves
and return plant to a sunny location to begin the flowering cycle again.
Repot
the bulb every 3-4 years as it increases in diameter. Off-sets of bulbs
can be removed and potted, but usually take a couple of years to flower.