Elegant Amaryllis takes gentle handling

Question: I was wondering when is the best time to transplant the Amaryllis plants -- now or in the spring? They bloomed beautifully this past summer but seem to be getting a bit pot-bound. I also wonder if regular potting soil is best, and when and how often they need to be fertilized?

As far as your Amaryllis plants are concerned, they do quite nicely here if planted on the east side of your landscape and in some light shade. They do not need to be in containers but can be planted in improved landscape soils. Good-quality compost is best. 

If they are planted into a desert landscape, make sure they are planted in one of the high water-use areas so they get enough water often enough. They can last in a landscape five years or more without digging them up.  Cut back on your water to them during November and December and early January. They need a rest period before blooming again. Fertilize them monthly with a week of fertilizer solution as soon as growth begins. Any rose type fertilizer or fertilizers for flowering plants will work.

Bob Morris is a professor emeritus in horticulture with the University of Nevada and can be reached at extremehort@aol.com. Visit his blog at
xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com.