Amaryllis - Benfica

Plant the amaryllis bulb in a pot with good drainage. Leave the width of about two fingers between the edge of the pot and the bulb since amaryllises often grow tall and can become somewhat top-heavy if the pot is too small. Additionally, it's a good idea to use a pot with a saucer because the bulb should not be watered from above.

For best results, consider adding some pieces of leca at the bottom of the pot and then fill it with potting soil. Water the soil thoroughly during planting. Aim for about half of the bulb to stick out of the soil. Then, place the pot with the newly planted bulb in a dark and warm location. When you see the flower stalk emerging, you can start watering, but be conservative with watering throughout to avoid promoting more leaves than flowers. Many amaryllis bulbs can thrive with minimal water. You can also influence the speed of bulb's growth by either placing it in a cooler or warmer location. The warmer it is, the faster the amaryllis will grow. The bulb flowers after about 8-12 weeks.

Once an amaryllis has started to bloom, it should be kept slightly cooler than during its growth period for an extended flowering period. When it has finished blooming, you can trim the stem, as there may be more stems developing that could otherwise divert nutrients from the new growth.