You never really get done raising children, do you? There's always some little thing that comes along needing a Surrogate Mommy! Cindee's Amaryllis Day Care! Hehe!

I was told that when you see offsets, you should take them off right away as they sap the energy from the mother bulb, and the mother bulb hence will not bloom. Is this true?

Anna

Not in my experience, anna. As a matter of fact that Apple Blossom baby just was recently separated. I have had clusters of blooming amaryllis with offsets attached. I think the baby bulb is ok to remove once it can develop it's own root system. I am sure it does take something away from the mother, but I usually leave them on until they grow their own leaves and root system. Last winter my Bolero bloomed beautifully while it's offset was growing tall leaves and long fat roots.

I always leave the little ones with mommy. they even say that you can leave them on till they flower. Then you can remove them and make them independent. So I never remove the babies unless they fall of by themselves, or by my rough handling.

Minerva is my only bulb to have developed a baby, and so far, I've left it alone... I won't remove it until I find out if it has its own root system... in the meantime, Minerva should bloom in February, and I'll be able to tell then whether or not it has an effect on Mommy...

I am in the exact opposite situation as you are Cindeea. I have been "beheading" the mothers and babies of the collection and putiing them to rest. This is a hard job to do specially with the bulblets/bulbils who are still very green and leafing out. Three garbage bags full of leaves is not a sight to behold.

Jodi, we will have to take bets on your February Minerva as to whether it blooms for your birthday (12th), my birthday (16th) or Soultans birthday (23)! 3 Aquarians in a pod!

Maria (sigh) that's sad!

The moment will come to me too, Maria. A whole day of work. Especially if I want to dig carefully, so I wouldn't hurt the roots. I need some space inside to keep my newly purchased ones.