Big, bold blooms

One of winter's most impressive indoor plants is the amaryllis. If you buy one of the giant bulbs, here's how to treat it:

Gently remove the bulb from the packing materials. Soak the roots in lukewarm water for three to four hours.

Choose a pot that's six inches deep and two to three inches wider than the bulb and has drainage holes. Fill two-thirds full of moistened potting soil, set the bulb on top, and add more potting mix so that the thin neck of the bulb is above the soil level.

Place the pot in a warm room. When you see green growth, move the container near a sunny window. Keep soil slightly moist.

Source: www.garden.com

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