While poinsettias remain number one in popularity for holiday plants, a plant that has gained acceptance in recent years is the amaryllis. It is usually sold in either bud or blossom, is a producer rapid, and requires a minimum of care.

The flower looks like a lily that it is not a member of this family, but a tropical bulb originally imported from Central and South America. Since it does not tolerate frost, it must be inside flowers. Although the normal flowering season is from January to April, many greenhouses is the strength in the prime early to be ready for the holidays in December.

You may be able to find some miniature varieties in stores or garden full electronic control and the Internet. These plants grow smaller than a foot or so high and have smaller flowers but otherwise look like the traditional ones.

Most amaryllis plants are sold already potted. If you buy a plant is not yet in bloom, keep the pot slightly moist mixture through the sub-irrigation with warm water. Do this by filling the saucer and letting the soil absorbs water. After 30 minutes, discard the remaining water in the saucer.

From this point, do not water until the flower bud is well developed. Then start watering up. Keep in mind that larger plants will require more water.

Place your amaryllis in a warm and shady. If possible, maintain a uniform temperature of from 70 to 75 degrees F day and night. When the stem of the flower bud is about eight inches tall, place the pot in a cooler place with more light. Water regularly at this stage of development. The largest bulbs, you will have many more flower stalks. You can plant a flower for a special occasion in the starting five to six weeks before the chosen date. To encourage early flowering, place the pot in a warm place. To slow the growth, move to a cooler place (around 50 degrees F) when the first bud about to open.

If you buy the bulbs separately instead of pre-jar, store in a cool, dry place such as the crisper of your refrigerator. Although these will keep for long periods, if the seeds begin to grow, you will need to plant them as soon as possible. Be careful not to expose the bulbs to freezing conditions.

After your amaryllis has bloomed, you can save the bulbs bloom again in subsequent years. Start by removing the flowers as they fade. Continue to water the potted bulbs regularly throughout the spring and summer. Apply fertilizer every month. After all danger of frost has passed in spring, plant bulbs, pot and all, in the garden in a semi-shade.

September, to the potted amaryllis in the garden before the first frost, and place it in a dry and warm. Stop watering completely. When the leaves turn yellow, cut just above the bulb. In late winter, begin watering again for flowers in four to six weeks.