Ok I am a bit confused about the fertilizer that has been recommended. Some of you said rose fertilizer.......then I think I read fertilizer with a low middle number. The rose fertilizer I use is 10 52 10. Can this be clarified please?

Thanks
Sierra

Hi RosegrowerNB,
Good score on the White Christmas! If you bulbs are leafed out and you have lights then fertilize with whatever formula you feel comfortable with.

Hi Sierra,
I personaly use the time release rose food,15-30-15 . It works well for me. I've used a 8-16-8 with not very good results. I think I would look for a more balanced formula than the 10-52-10 . Lora

How about the fertilizer reaching the leaves or falling in between and going into the bulb? I will only be able to fertilize from the top once the bulbs are outside in the garden, and I guess everyone does the same.

I think that Hans Werner fertilizers with a minute amout
of fertilizer every time he waters,
Advocates a low middle number, and he waters from the bottom.
I use rose fertilizer 28 14 14 and cut it way back to quarter strength. and use it every two weeks.
It does seem odd that one has to water from the bottom, to keep bulb dry in the wintertime, then put plant pot and all
outside and it gets rained on and after hardening off into
full sun, but then there is the sun to dry and breezes to whit., Drainage holes in my pots are quite numerous.
I water my Papilio from the top, its in a large ceramic pot
and toooo much bother setting it in a tray to water from
the bottom, its a new plant,but appears to be doing well.
I imagine when they grow them in fields they are top watered.
Now to get back to removing the winter protection from
my other hobby ROSES... Cheers...Jack
PS 10 52 10 here is used for developing new roots on young plants just starting out there life..:>)))

I have used both 20-20-20 and 15-30-15 with good results in the past. This season I'm switching to Miracle-Gro's 24-8-16 after reading several posts on the PBS list regarding the needs of bulbous plants. The Mir-Gro is fairly close to the ratios discussed on the list.

I am doing a constant feed of 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per gallon each watering with occasional waterings without any fertilizer. Not so much a plan, but sometimes I have to water quickly and don't have time to mix the solution. I don't that will do anything but good as it would help reduce salts build-up in the soil. I water form the top only.

So far the results are as good as with any other fertilizer, but the season has really only just started.

R.

I will have a drip system on the flower bed. I am thinking about putting a feeding tube or something at the beginning, so I could feed the fertilizer through the drip system once a week or so. I still have to work out the details. The whole new house is pretty ultra modern, so why shouldn't we make the flower bed 21st century too?

Hi soultan:
I dont know whether these plants and roots,
would care to be constantly wet, as other plants
that use a lot of water to stay turgid...Unless you have
a separate drip system for the Amaryllis plants.
I would be careful.....btw anybody seen Hans on lately
I havent been on much this winter and havent seen any of his post..

I will plant petunia in between the amaryllis, so those plants should drink up most of the moisture... At least, that is the plan. I might put the drip system on a timer, so it would only water for a few hours a day or even shorter. I will experiment with it.