Once your amaryllis flowers have died down, you can remove them, cutting the flowering stalk all the way down. Place your plant in full light of a window, continue watering (on a reduced scale) for a while. It is best to stop watering completely in mid-fall, so that the bulb begins its enforced rest (about 6-8 weeks). If watering is continued too long, the past year's foliage will remain green and may become unwieldy and unattractive. The plant won't get the rest it needs to bloom again.

After watering stops, the foliage will become yellow and wither away. Remove dead foliage. Keep the potting mixture completely dry throughout the rest period, which lasts until new growth (usually the tip of the flower bud) begins to appear.

In summer a high-potash organic fertilizer can be given to your plant, the type usually recommended for tomatoes.  This will help to mature the bulb and ensure a flowering stalk the next year. Discontinue feedings entirely after mid-fall.

Amaryllis dislikes root disturbance and flowers best when left alone. Exception: three or four years after the initial potting the bulb can be repotted, but not until then.

After the dormancy period when the bulb has begun to grow, remove the top 1/2 inch of soil from the pot, and replace with new potting mixture. Do not remove the bulb from the pot. Water the potted bulb ONCE thoroughly, and place back in bright light.

You can read more about caring for this plant in our Guide to Amaryllis.

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service