I know Gail. I tried to have the photos first of this plant. It is an amaryllis, whose bulb is encased in wax. You're not supposed to water it, just let it grow & bloom. (Then what,?, I don't know) The poll was supposed to go after the photos, so you'd know what the poll was about. I couldn't figure out how to post it that way, despite my efforts!
@Cayuga Morning I think I missed this months poll regarding voting but this was the poll picture. https://www.gardenstew.com/threads/caption-competition-526-winner.40546/#post-370944 Frank adds the pictures for the poll from members pic's he picks and then you vote...you can't add one yourself but I don't know what that one was either. I don't know if this link will help you about your plant. https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/living/home-garden/article45491814.html
Gail, Mine was a different poll entirely. Members can set up their own polls about anything if they wish. I just couldn't get the order right! CM
These things are for sale here as well. I do not buy them because there is no way to let them have a bit of water...and because I like to hold them over. Of course the Ama does what it does from out the tuber, so if you are planning to discard the tuber after Christmas, then it doesn't matter.
@Sjoerd this was a gift. (I wouldnt have bought it myself ). Do you think I should crack the wax off & plant it normally?
CM, get the wax off of it and plant it up .The tip of the flower stalk is burned already not having moisture to draw from. It is robbing the bulb of it's moisture and will surly die. I have mine in a huge pot now and it needs divided after 25 years. That's a job for when I get home from vacation.
Carolyn is spot on. However, if you do not plan to hold it over until next year you may as well leave it in the wax, although C is right about the lack of water uptake, which could be the cause of the browning of the stalk tip...is it dry in your dwelling ?
Hi CM , Don't worry about the brown bits. It's not dying. The sheaf always goes brown and dies before the flowers open nothing to do with moisture or watering at all. Have you ever grown Narcicci for example , the same thing happens on those. It's natures way of protecting the bud till they're fully formed. This is what you should get, although the colour may vary. As to your bulb... it may be worth a try getting the wax off but I honestly think you'd be better off just throwing ot away. Obviously the wax was warm or even hot when it' was applied to the bulb so it has probably damaged the bulb. Also therr's the risk of you damaging the bulb with your knofe or whatever tool you use.
