Flowering bulb amaryllis is holiday treat for gardeners

Santa drives a sedan.

I saw it when I was 5. It was about a week before Christmas. I was leaning against the front window watching the sky in case Santa arrived early. I had that fun-magical feeling in my gut imagining his sleigh streaking across the sky with a Red Ryder BB gun (compass in the stock) in his sack just for me.

About that time, a sedan pulled into the drive and a red-suited man got out. My brother and I raced to the door in our footy pajamas and let him in. We sat on his lap and told him what we wanted, asked why he wasn't at the North Pole and how many cookies he wanted us to leave out. It seemed strange sitting on this guy's lap, but he was wearing the suit, so I was game.

I have come to realize, in retrospect, the anticipation was more magical than the actual gift. I think that's what keeps people coming back to the garden: Anticipation of new life, growth and excitement.

It seems fitting certain plants bring in the holiday season. Poinsettias are considered the holiday plant of choice, but amaryllis is a lesser-known holiday treat.

Amaryllis is a flowering bulb that is hardy in the Lowcountry. A cluster of large, vivid flowers open atop a sturdy stalk. Red flowers are common, but white, pink, orange and bicolors also are available. Amaryllis is sold as an indoor Christmas bulb, and dry bulbs purchased at garden centers will flower eight to 10 weeks after watering begins. Some garden centers have amaryllis already on schedule to flower by the holidays.

An amaryllis bulb can be planted in a 6-inch pot, clay or plastic. One-third of the bulb should be above the soil to keep the top dry. As with most bulbs, wet soil causes rot. Be sure the pot has drain holes. Water when soil feels dry. Once a week usually is adequate. Place pot in a south-facing window that gets a minimum of four hours direct sunlight. As the stalk emerges, the large flower buds form, and the countdown to blooming begins. Remove flowers once they are spent to prevent seed formation. This encourages the plant to store carbohydrates in the bulb. Once all the blooms have finished, cut the stalk near the base of the plant.

Room temperature is preferred (75 degrees). Once it blooms, cooler temperatures (65 degrees) can prolong flowers.

Maybe that's why my grandparents didn't have much luck with houseplants.

They kept the house close to 90 degrees during the winter. You could feel your lips cracking when you entered. The plants withered and no one could stay awake.

Once the holiday season has passed, amaryllis can be planted in the landscape. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Once it is established, amaryllis will bloom in the spring and late summer. Fertilization isn't required but can promote growth. Use low-nitrogen fertilizer (5-10-10) or bloom booster types when new growth begins, again when the stalk is several inches tall and finally after flowering is finished.

After a few years, the bulbs can be dug up and the bulblets removed to start new plants. Bulblets can be stored dry in the refrigerator for eight to 10 weeks. Plant bulbs and water in mid-October to encourage flowers by Christmas.

Go Martha Stewart on the clay pots with paint, ribbons and wrap and you've got a gift everyone can anticipate and appreciate.

I never got that Red Ryder BB gun (with compass in the stock). I'm sure you know why. Even at 5, I was suspicious of Santa arriving in a sedan. I noticed he wore a gold watch and had normal clothes on beneath the red suit. That didn't seem very Santa-like. It was a few years later that fun-magical feeling turned to horror. I think you know why.

Tony Bertauski is a horticulture instructor at Trident Technical College. To give feedback or request specific column topics, e-mail him at tony.bertauski@tridenttech.edu.