CUISINE & CULTURE
Looking for a gift for a wannabe gardener? A gift that keeps on giving? One that even someone with a black thumb can grow? A waxed Amaryllis is just the gift. Amaryllis is a common holiday present, and a waxed Amaryllis is a no-fail gift for someone who says they cannot grow anything.
A friend introduced me to these cleverly packaged bulbs. A boxed Amaryllis is a popular Christmas gift but these Amaryllis bulbs that are enclosed in wax require nothing more than a light source. The bulb requires no water or soil to produce a bloom. Just place the bulb in bright light and wait for the bulb to do its programmed thing––green, swordlike leaves emerge followed by the flower stalk with its blossoms on the tip of the flower stalk.
Everything an Amaryllis needs to grow and produce a large bloom is contained in its waxed bulb. It is so easy.
The reward for growing an Amaryllis is its dazzling inflorescence. The statuesque inflorescence is borne on the tip of a tall, sturdy flower stalk. The showy, funnel-shaped, trumpet-like flowers can be crimson, salmon, white, or red and white striped.
The common name Amaryllis derives from its scientific name, Amaryllis belladonna. Amaryllis from the Greek amarussein, “to sparkle,” and belladonna from the Italian, “beautiful or fair lady.”
This is the legend for its bold blossom: In Greek mythology Amaryllis was a beautiful shepherdess who fell in love with the shepherd Alteo. Alteo rejected the shepherdess Amaryllis, instead desiring to find a new flower. However, the shepherdess Amaryllis was persistent; she knocked on Alteo’s door for thirty consecutive nights. Yet Alteo never answered the door, and in her anguish she pierced her heart with golden arrows. When Alteo finally opened his door, he found a crimson flower sprouting from the blood of Amaryllis’ heart.
Amaryllis symbolizes determination and beauty because of the shepherdess’ persistence.
The waxed Amaryllis should bloom in 3 to 6 weeks and will bloom year after year. After blooms wither, cut back flower stalks to just above the bulb, peel wax from the bulb and plant halfway deep in potting soil. Give it bright light and water as top of the potting soil begins to dry. Move it to the garden next spring. Enjoy the stunning rebloom.
Some information from A Contemplation Upon Flowers; namesofflowers.com
Ellen Peffley Harp, a retired professor of horticulture at Texas Tech University, writes about gardening for several Texas newspapers.
