After seeing this photo, there was one more thing to add to my mile-long TO-DO list…
MUST BUY AMARYLLIS.
They are like the orchid of Christmas. beautiful. classic. a total pick-me-up on a cold winter’s day. hence the “MUST”.
So the last time I was passing through Home Depot, I snagged one of the amaryllis kits for $6 and knew just the pot to put em in.
The green plastic thing wouldn’t do. It had to be jazzed up a bit. So I took a second look at the inspiration photo and decided that a classic white urn was the way to go. After that it was just following the directions on the box. You take the dirt patty…that’s what I call it…a dried dirt patty. soil frisbee. whatever you wanna name it…the point is still the same: I LOVE THESE THINGS.
You just add warm water and WAHLA…instant potting mix. It’s like those towels that start out like miniature dinosaurs and end up like washclothes. Who knew that warm water could be so fun?!?
And then I just potted the bulb inside with the top third sticking out. Mine had an extra little stem thingie. Fertile little guy 🙂
I couldn’t stand the dirt showing so I went to the backyard and pulled up some moss from our redneck backyard.
I think it adds to the whole greenery look, don’t you?
I also placed a salad plate underneath the entire thing. Will sometimes takes baths in our kitchen sink and the bottom of the urn was getting splish-splashed every time he got sudsy so the plate prevents excess water from accumulating underneath there.
Since the package said to put it near a warm window, I chose the kitchen one above the sink because it is the only one facing the morning sun. I think it’s surviving…so far. But that could be debatable.
I’m just hoping to see those red headed beauties some time soon. And yes, I named it. Meet Ariel. Big read head, skinny body, with a couple green fins at the bottom? Yeah…perfect representation of the little Mermaid 🙂
So have you gotten out Amaryllis’ yet? Or planted anything lately? Or is the only planting you are thinking about the one that requires you to plant your butt on the couch after one big Thanksgiving meal? Give me those mossy details…
I have always wanted to get one of these! So pretty.
Ok, here’s a question for ya…
Does an amaryllis have a strong smell? A few years ago I planted some paper whites and boy, they smelled so strong, I had to pitch them. Gave me horrible headaches (I’m super sensitive to smells and they trigger migraines). Last year I bought three silk red amaryllis for my kitchen because I love the look of them, but I’d love to have real ones.
Love the blog!
I love Amaryllis!!! In fact, last year I had one that lasted all through December to February, it was so beautiful. One trick I learned is that whichever side the sun hits it, it will curve toward the light source, so rotate it every couple of days so it grows nice and straight. Also, mine did not have a strong smell at all, but be sure to keep it away from Will, since all those Christmas plants are apparently dangerous around children and pets – just like paper whites and poinsettias.
Happy Thanksgiving!
PS. after its done blooming, let all the green stems die away then replant it a much bigger planter with good soil and it should bloom again in late summer!
LOL – your name choice is awesome! I can just picture your amaryllis in full bloom dancing around to “Under The Sea”!!
I definitely need to snatch up one of those little beauties! I’ll also be getting paper whites.
Oh yes! I looooove Amaryllis! Mine just opened one flower!
http://dettslife.blogspot.com/2010/11/kleine-freude-am-montag.html
I bought a white Amaryllis last year, and within 5 or so days it exploded into blooming. I’m still waiting for that to happen this year… but at least I haven’t killed it yet 😀
Love the pot, and the name! I bought one last year, and placed it in a warm sunny window, and it grew like crazy but never bloomed 🙁
Oh so pretty! I may need to add this to my own shopping list for the Christmas season. I tend to do MUCH better with houseplants than outdoor ones. At least the indoor ones stay alive a little longer. Perfect name choice! 😀
Have you tried Narcissus (Paperwhites)? They have a wonderful fragrance! They are bulbs I grow every year in December!
I have some narcissus that are going like gangbusters, although I definitely might add an amarylis to the mix because they are SO much more dramatic. Great addition on the moss, I love!
Ok these are beautiful but I have a question for you….even though you have that beautiful fireplace to hang stockings on, could you do a post about ideas for hanging stockings if you don’t have a fireplace. Every year I have the same dilemma. I think tacking them up to the walls are tacky and I have plenty of shelves and things like that, but just wondering if you have any unique ideas that you could show us if you don’t have that gorgeous fireplace.
What a perfect little use for your white pot! I’m excited to see how it turns out! I tried paper whites for the first time last year and really enjoyed them.
Sure Sarah K…let me see what I can come up with!
xo – kb