amaryllis vases

I saw some amaryllis bulbs a few days ago, the first I've seen this year, so thought I would buy them in case I didn't come across any others. Actually I did see some last week but they came with a pot and I just wanted the bulbs.

On the far left is my first amaryllis vase which I bought a few years ago at a garden centre being sold as an amaryllis vase. It came packaged in a box with an amaryllis bulb. Next is what I think is an "official" amaryllis vase although it was not sold as such but only because I don't think the seller (on ebay) realised what it was. I did have a similar one sold as an amaryllis vase but unfortunately it broke. Next is not an official amaryllis vase but one that I think is quite suited to holding an amaryllis bulb. The bulbs I bought the other day are massive and too big for that vase. The next vase on the far right is from Ikea and not an "official" amaryllis vase. I had 3 of these but I just broke one while trying to rinse out the dust. I had broken one while still at Ikea so they are somewhat fragile. This was a few years ago that I bought them from Ikea, who no longer sell this style of vase. These bulbs, being so massive, are somewhat expensive, especially compared to other smaller varieties such as hyacinths so I don't do them every year. These were £8.99 each so I just bought 4.

As with forcing any bulb in water, the vase is filled with water to just below the bulb. The existing roots have always rotted for me but I just remove them and replace the water with fresh, as required. Amaryllis are quite quick to bloom and do not need any time in the dark. I will have to check my notes from previous years but I think they take about 6 weeks from putting in water to having blooms.