Q&A for How to Care for Amaryllis Flowers

Yellow leaves in amaryllis aren't a problem in most cases; they are part of the plant cycle. If the leaves become yellow early in the year, it is probably a plant disease and you'll need to treat it.

It may last 5 years without problem. If you want to keep them longer, you have to repot them after 4 - 5 years.

It depends on the time that you want your amaryllis to produce blooms. It ranges from October to March.

Not enough time has been allowed for the bulb to be replenish, or it is rotted due to too much water or disease. If the bulb is spongy and soft, then it should be tossed. When the green leaves (no flower) appear, then the plant needs to be in indirect sun so it can replenish the bulb.

Of course you can. Place them in a vase with some baby's breath or a bit of fern, or whatever you want. To keep cut flowers fresh, try putting a baby Asprin in the water. Change the water every few days.

Amaryllis bulbs, as well as leaves and flowers, can be mildly poisonous to cats, dogs, and humans. This is not a problem very often because of the unpleasant taste of the bulb. If you suspect your animal has ingested some of the plant, call a vet.

You can store a bulb up to three month in the refrigerator, as long as the bulb is not in contact with the walls.

You can water the plant every two weeks outside blooming period. In blooming period, you have to give enough water to keep the soil humid.

No, amaryllis reproduce by dividing and not by seeds. You can cut the flowers when they wilt.

It can endure direct sunlight, so it shouldn't be a problem. However, be aware that the soil has to be humid enough for the plant.

Dividing an amaryllis bulb is a complex operation, and cannot be undertaken by non-professionals.

Don't remove it. This is a new "daughter" bulb of the main plant. When you remove the main bulb for storage, you may remove the daughter bulb then, or, I have found that waiting another year (after next planting) the daughter bulb almost separates by itself.