The amaryllis, a tender bulb, is an exquisite flowering plant and is often acquired as a gift from a thoughtful friend. It is easy to grow, just follow the accompanying instructions and within a few weeks you will see growth begin. After several more weeks the amaryllis will put on a magnificent display of flowers.

When the blooms have died not all is lost. With a little more care you should be able to get an amaryllis to bloom again.

Remove the flower stalk; and place the plant in a sunny window [1], providing it with water and fertilizer regularly.

In June, when all danger of frost has passed, move the plant outdoors to spend the summer in a sunny, yet protected location, such as nestled among the daylilies [2]. It is important to provide fertilizer every two weeks, and water when needed.

Before the nights get frosty in September bring the plant inside and give the bulb a rest by withholding water and allowing the leaves to dry up. After two months of resting, the bulb is ready to be forced into bloom again. Remove the top one to two inches of soil [3] and replace it with new sterile potting soil and resume watering the bulb. This will initiate a new cycle of growth that will be topped off with the production of those gorgeous flowers remembered from a year ago.