How to Make Blooms Last Longer for an Amaryllis

Place the pot in a 75-degree Fahrenheit location with full sun when the plant begins sending up foliage. Move the plant to a cooler, 65- to 70-degree location with bright, indirect sunlight when the flower buds begin to open. Direct sun and too-high temperatures can minimize the life of the flowers.

Water the amaryllis once weekly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between each watering. Pour the water directly on the soil and keep the leaves and flowers dry to further the life of the blooms. Water the plants just until the excess begins to drain out the bottom of the pot and empty the tray beneath the pot after watering.

Fertilize amaryllis once every two weeks after it begins to form flower buds on the stalks. Apply a soluble balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 blend, at the package recommended dilution. Soluble fertilizers contain the three main plant nutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, in a liquid form. Fertilizer provides the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and flowering.

Turn the pot a half-turn each day until the blossoms begin to open. Turning helps the stalks grow straight. Leaning stalks may fall over prematurely and shorten the life of the flowers.

Cut off each flower stalk after all the buds at the top have finished blooming and the petals begin to wilt, using pruning shears. Remove these stalks to within 2 inches of their base. Removing the old stalks diverts the plant's energy to the remaining stalks and blooms, which may lengthen their life.