Waxed Amaryllis Bulbs: A new experience
Left: The waxed amaryllis at its peak on Feb. 9. Right: After being planted in soil, the de-waxed bulb has sent up a third flower stalk a month later. Loretta Fritz photos
By Loretta Fritz
I received a waxed amaryllis bulb for my birthday in early December. I had not seen these before. Lovely (thick red wax), tidy (nothing but the wax around it and a small metal support underneath), and sporting a few leaves and two plump budding stalks, all about two inches tall.
The first thing I did was look for instructions. Nothing. But a quick online search revealed that waxed amaryllis bulbs have been a holiday ‘thing’ for quite a while, especially in Europe. I can see their appeal: They require absolutely no intervention or amendments — no vase, no planting medium, no water — and can go in any bright location. They are intended as self-sufficient one-offs, offering the striking blooms we have come to expect from amaryllis and demanding nothing in return.
I was skeptical about the no-watering part and wondered how I would be able to support the flower stalks as they grew from this ‘naked’ bulb. Nonetheless, I decided that instead of fretting, I would be open to this new plant adventure. I put the bulb on 4-inch glass dish (one designed to go under a fat candle), set it on the dining room table, and began the wait.
Slowly but steadily the plant grew, stalks rising slightly faster than the leaves. The first buds opened in the last week of January, and the rest soon followed. One of the stalks bore four flowers; the other had three. Contrary to what I was expecting from my research, nothing grew taller than 12 inches, so staking never became an issue. And while the blooms were vibrant and beautiful, they were nowhere near the size of a rooted amaryllis, reaching only 3½ inches across when fully open. A bit disappointing, but it could be that I had a dwarf variety.
I must admit that throwing away a plant just because it is no longer blooming doesn’t sit easily with me — my youngest orchid is probably 10 years old — but I do appreciate that not everyone has the space or inclination to keep every indoor plant they’ve ever received. Nevertheless, when the flowers began to fade, I went back online to see if the bulb could be saved. (I had noticed significant indentations in the wax, indicating that the bulb was already becoming depleted.) To my delight, the answer appeared to be ‘yes.’ Worth a try.
As the flowers died, I cut them off, leaving the green stalks to help replenish the bulb. Once both stalks had been topped, I peeled off the wax coating and removed a thin, rubber-like ‘stocking’ that was between the bulb from and the wax. Upon close inspection, I saw lots of little bumps around the base, which I took to be potential roots.
A good sign. So, I planted the bulb in moist potting soil, amended with a bit of bone meal and slow-release fertilizer, and plunked it front of a bright window.
It is now mid-March, almost a month after the bulb went into the soil. The browned-off flower stalks have been removed and the soil kept damp. Although I have no idea if roots have sprouted, another flower stalk has made its appearance. This one is growing quickly — already 11 inches tall! — but seems a bit thinner than the previous two. I’m anxious to see how soon it blooms and to compare the size and quality of the new flowers to the previous ones.
My overall assessment? I think I’m a fan. I love the idea of a no-muss, no-fuss amaryllis for the winter holiday season. Even the wax adds a good punch of colour to the décor. That said, I’ll keep my newly potted bulb fed and watered outside through the summer, give it an eight-week rest (no water) in the garage come fall, and then bring it back into the house for what I hope will be another showy display. I’m very curious to see what comes from this previously waxed bulb next winter.
