Amaryllis

Caring for your amaryllis

The stem is thick, hollow and full of water rather than fibre, and the flower head is heavy. Two consequences follow.

First, keep the water shallow, three or four inches. A hollow stem standing in deep water goes soft and splits at the base.

Second, the stem may need help. Florists slide a thin bamboo cane up inside the hollow stem to take the weight, and we usually do this before your arrangement leaves the shop. If a stem starts to splay or curl at the bottom, that is the stem softening; recut above the split.

Change the water every three days. Keep them cool, which slows the trumpets opening and extends the display.

The buds open in sequence over about a week. Snip each trumpet off as it browns.