By Joyce Corson
Guest Columnist

One way to beat those winter blues is with an amaryllis plant. Photo provided by Joyce Arleen Corson.

Although there is a lot of beauty that comes with winter, you may be sad to see the leaves and flowers go. One way to beat these blues is with the beautiful amaryllis hippeastrum plant.

These bulbs can be as big as 12 inches in circumference, look like an onion, can be planted in the fall and result in a gorgeous pink flower. Each bulb grows one stem with four to eight star shaped flowers ranging in color from white to red or pink. Later on, wide green leaves will appear next to the flower stems.

They typically bloom in January, so planting amaryllises is a great way to spruce up your home during the chilly months and begin the year with a cheerful heart. Plus, if you follow the steps for taking care of your bulb, you will be able to recycle the same plant year after year and enjoy its blooms every winter. Following my own advice I do this every year.

My curiosity grew about amaryllis as we received one as a gift at Christmas, in full bloom, from mother-in-law Millie Corson several years ago. Apple blossom bloomed beautifully, indoors or out, as these bulbs do, just about any time of year regardless of where you live.

If you are charmed by grouping plants inside, start your collection now as I did. I planted the seeds inside soon after they were dry. It seems every one sprouted darling tiny bulbs, which I grew inside under lights but took them on vacation outside for summer.

If you have seen naked ladies in summer in northern Indiana, they are the hardy cousin to amaryllis. They bloom after leaves fade away!

The vision of the rock band Shinedown’s “Amaryllis” a message of empowerment, perseverance and inspiration that I think speaks to the personality of the flower amaryllis. It was released on Jan. 3, 2012.

Amaryllis bulbs are wonderful holiday gifts blooming or not. They will lift the spirits of people missing the colors of spring, but they continue to bring joy year after year.

Pot your amaryllis in a large enough container using a loose potting mix. Find a sunny, warm, indoor place for your plant. Water on a regular weekly basis, keeping it moist. Turn the pot occasionally, to ensure the stem grows straight, rather than reaching for the light and possibly becoming top-heavy as it grows. Look for a bloom after 4-8 weeks. After the flower buds have opened, bloomed and withered it’s time to trim the stem.

Use a sharp knife to cut the stalk so its about six inches above the bulb. Make sure to keep the leaves attached. They will continue to grow and are needed to nourish your plant through photosynthesis. As the weather starts to warm up, move your amaryllis, still in the pot, to an outdoor location where it will be exposed to filtered sunlight. Water regularly until September. Bring your amaryllis pot inside, prune all the leaves, and store it in a cool dark place, closet or basement, where it can be dormant for several months. In December bring your pot into the light, water it and place it in a sunny window to restart the process.

And wonder, as I did, how the one and only time my amaryllis became pollinated in the house.