Amaryllis – waxed and veloured!
So I couldn’t resist sharing this ‘vase’ with you, since I’ve never seen it’s like before.
A couple of weeks ago I was given a Christmas present by a work colleague. The gift was in an open-topped bag, because part of it was already sticking out, so I could see it was an amaryllis. When I got home I took it out and was startled to see that the bulb was completely covered in a skin tight deep red velour. How could I plant or water the bulb? It even had it’s own stand, which was when I started to think it was supposed to be self-contained. So I googled coated amaryllis and sure enough no-water wax-covered bulbs are a thing. To avoid problematic roots bursting out it sounds as if the basal plate is cut off before waxing. The bulb has enough energy for the flower to grow, but that is it. It is a one season flower, which I suppose is often the case (unless, like me, you are unable to throw plants away).
The bulb is expected to flower within 3-6 weeks. Indeed, the stalk is racing away and having moved the bulb to take the ironic photo with all my rooting cuttings, I was able to feel how top heavy the whole thing is getting. I had to adjust the stand to make it balance again. I am now a bit concerned that it is going to fall over in the near future. So I’ve decided to sit inside my very heavy recycled glass vase (a cyclinder would be better):
Waxed amaryllis – a good idea in theory, turns out to be too unstable as it grows.
Meanwhile, the small surrounding vases are actually remnants of old Monday vases which have rooted and I am going to pot up. So we have rooting Rosemary, Little Dorrit Chrysanthemums and Begonias:
I suppose the containment idea is clever and a waxed amaryllis is not as distressing as a painted gold-tipped sempervivum or glitter-sprayed heather. What do you think?
I am joining Cathy for her In-a-vase-on-Monday meme. Click through to enjoy plenty of lovely and inspiring arrangements.
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I succumbed to one of these a couple years ago (they came in red, silver or gold wax) because I was so curious how it would grow. Without water, it grew only 6-8 inches, a bit stunted, but did bloom fairly well. At the end, I cut it open to reveal a latex sleeve around the bulb, which had started to rot. Curiosity satisfied, I determined it was much too cruel to repeat! I’m back to the bulb in the dirt style (which I, too, never throw out, so I have a whole mini-garden of them now). 😉 Enjoy!
Yes, mine seems to be giving its all (two stalks heading upwards), but it leaves a sad feeling in its wake. I won’t be buying any myself now. Luckily 2 out of my 3 saved ones are beginning to move now, hurray!
I considered buying some of the waxed Amaryllis for my non-gardening friends this year but read mixed reviews on their performance so I skipped it. I’m growing a variety called ‘Zombie’ the conventional way this year with great satisfaction.
This one certainly seems to be quite stubby (flowering at 12 inches), but there are two stalks … so it is flowering its little heart out (quite literally 😦 ). I’ve got one called ‘Bogota’ growing normally. Oooh, Zombie is a lovely double. Enjoy!
I saw them in the shops too and hated them! A plant with no chance to grow after we have feasted our eyes on the beauty of the flower sickens me .
It feels plain wrong, but maybe people could be inspired to start growing for real!
Cruelty to plants! If it were mine I’d cut the flowers for a vase as soon as they are big enough and through the poor tortured bulb away.
Good idea. I’ve now read plenty of feedback that says that under that outer layer the bulb is a sad rotting mess (see Eliza’s comment for instance). 😦
What concerns me about the painted and sprayed plants is that some people will think it is normal, like the dyed blooms in some bouquets – at least the uninitiated would guess that amaryllis don’t come in waxed jackets (or skin tight jeans (great title, by the way!), and know they would normally have roots…wouldn’t they? Hope so… Always good to have vase contents rooting, isn’t it? Best wishes to you and yours, Allison
Yes … and there are plenty of plants and seeds on Amazon, for instance, that propagate these myths and leave people disappointed.
Yes! Multicoloured lily of the valley for example! Grrr 😲
Your colleague was thoughtful. I do prefer the old-fashioned way of growing plants. Love the very apt title you chose! Enjoy your holidays. /Susie
Thanks Susie. I love my gift, but agree that I feel more comfortable with plants in dirt and water. Wishing you a peaceful and joyful festive season! Allison
I saw these on sale last year and was intrigued, but wondered then how it could possibly stand upright when it flowered. I hope the colour of the flower will at least be ‘natural’ and you can enjoy it nonetheless! :!