Amaryllis make spectacular pot plants for the winter garden and if they have not been in high favor they will be soon, for now both splendid new domestic bulbs and more particularly amaryllis strains originating in Holland are available in quantity. This presages a popularity for this flower that should make it once again a favorite forcing bulb for winter use.
Tests conducted with Dutch amaryllis have been rewarding. Unlike some of the field grown hybrids, the Dutch varieties produced huge plants with two to three bloom stalks with four to six flowers, each 6- to 12-inches across. The flowers, being of great substance, last from 6 to 10 days if placed in a cool window or in the conservatory. Thus, a single bulb will furnish continuous bloom for several weeks and have lush green foliage for an additional six months. Truly, the amaryllis, properly selected and handled, makes a desirable house plant from every point of view.
The finest Dutch hybrid amaryllis are available as named varieties. These represent the efforts of many hybridizers who, from thousands of seedlings, have segregated and propagated only the best. Since a minimum of six to nine years is required from the time the seedling is selected until introduction, the purchaser can understand why a good new variety costs from five to six dollars a bulb.
In this connection, it is well to remember that the initial cost of an amaryllis bulb should be divided by 10 or 15 for, with proper care, the average bulb will last 10 to 15 years or more.
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