One of the best-loved Amaryllis classics, 'Minerva' is a rich red variety with a prominent white "star" created by wide striping down the center of each petal, complemented by a gold throat. Cheery, very seasonal, and long-lasting, it is a reliable performer.These blooms are 6 to 8 inches across, very thick and substantial for good staying power. You can expect 2-3 stems with 3-4 blooms each. The red is brilliant and the white snowy without being too glaring; the perfect combination of cheerful colors!
Like all our Dutch Amaryllis, 'Minerva' can be grown at any time of year - just pot it up 6 to 8 weeks before the date you want it to begin blooming! The flowers are very long-lasting - several weeks is common, or up to a week if cut for the vase - and trouble-free. To get years of color from your Amaryllis, 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, trim their stems down to a few inches, 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, remove the plant from sun, stop watering, and keep the bulb potted up in a dry, cool place. Let it rest for at least 10 weeks before beginning the color show all over again! Zones 8-11.
