The festive blooms of miniature Amaryllis 'Baby Star' are a bright cherry red with a sparkling white star at the center. This miniature reaches only 11 to 15 inches tall, and is perfect for adding various heights to your holiday Amaryllis display. Grow Amaryllis any time of year - just pot the bulbs 6 to 8 weeks before the date you want it to begin blooming! Plant your bulb in a 6- to 8-inch pot or space closer if planting more than one together. Keep about 1/3 to 2/3 of the bulb exposed above the soil, and water it in thoroughly. Unless the soil looks dry, you should not water it again until green shoots appear. When the first growth appears, move the plant into a sunny spot and keep it well-watered until it blooms. Once the blooms open, move it out of direct sunlight to prolong the life of the flowers.
After the blooms pass, place the pot back in a sunny spot and keep watering and feeding it until the leaves turn yellow. (Most Amaryllis remain green for months, their deeply colored, strap-like foliage an attractive addition to the home or office.) When the foliage dies back, stop watering and keep the bulb potted up in a dry, cool place. Let it rest for at least 10 weeks before beginning the process all over again, and re-pot bulbs every 3 to 5 years to keep flowering at a peak.
If you live in a mild climate, Amaryllis will grow beautifully in your garden. Plant the bulbs about 8 inches deep, spacing 6 to 8 inches between plants. Fertilize the soil about 3 weeks after planting. Our top-size bulbs are certain to bloom heavily for many years. Hardy only in zones 8-11, Amaryllis is a long-lived houseplant everywhere in the country.
