This bulb dies back after flowering each year and enters a period of rest ahead of regrowth the following season.

• Position: bright but indirect light
• Soil: good quality compost (provided)
• Rate of growth: 6 to 12 weeks after planting
• Flowering period: December to March
• Hardiness: tender (indoors only)
  
  This gift set comes complete with a glazed ceramic planter with an amaryllis bulb, compost and clear instructions on how to plant them all together to create a beautiful display for your home.
  
  Amaryllis ‘Christmas Gift’: Slightly ruffled, creamy white petals with a green-flushed eye form sumptuous trumpet-shaped flowers in winter.
  
  
• General care: Making the compost - Place the peat-free compost pellet in a suitable mixing container and add 350ml of lukewarm water. Allow to stand and expand for 30-60 minutes, drain off any excess water and mix compost well. Set the bulb in the pot included with the compost so that the top two-thirds of the bulb are exposed. Water the compost only when the surface is dry; too much just after potting can cause the bulb to rot. Keep the plant in a bright spot avoiding direct sun, and rotate the plant periodically to avoid the emerging flower stalk leaning towards the light. Leaves will appear shortly after flowering.
  
  Once flowering has finished, cut off the flower stalk 5-10cm above the bulb - don't cut off the foliage. Water when the surface of the compost is dry and feed fortnightly with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Reduce and cease watering from early autumn and move to a dry, dark spot for a few months allowing the foliage to die back, simulating the dormant, dry season of the plant’s native South America. In November bring it back into the light and begin watering again. Old foliage should be removed, though take care not to remove any new shoots. Expect flowers in six to eight weeks.
  
  Please note that newly planted bulbs, using the technique described above, can take up to eight weeks to flower so plant or purchase as gifts in early November for flowering at Christmas. Bulbs purchased as gifts for Christmas are likely to flower from early February onwards.