Amaryllis, indoor

My amaryllis has finished it's blooming. Those bright, vibrant red blooms were a delight on the window sill in our northern climate. The Easter Cactus blooming right next to it was the same color. What a joy!
All things must end, however, so it faded and I cut the stem off just above the neck of the bulb. Strangly enough the bulb never put forth any leaves. NOW that the bloom is gone, however, the leaves are making an appearance. There are 4 or 5 of them popping up from the bulb.
I will now put the plant downstairs in the cooler basement and cut back a bit on the watering. Fertilization will not happen again until the weather is a bit warmer, and it goes outside.
I do not have an outdoor cold frame, so I'll have to find a sheltered spot out in the garden when the frost is no longer a problem. In this northern climate, we joke that the "no frost dates" are from July 4th until Labor Day!
Anyway, it will be coddled until it goes outside and then I'll put it in my chicken wire box where it will be safe from critters, but able to enjoy the great outdoors. In the fall the reverse process will happen. I'll stop the water again, bring the pot back inside, checking for insects, etc. It will stay in the basement while the foliage dies back. At that point(January or February), I'll clean off the old foliage and dried scales, as well as take out about an inch of soil from around the bulb (gently) and add some rich soil and compost mixed with a bit of bonemeal (but just a little as it can smell!)
Amaryllis bulbs do best if pot-bound, so don't be too quick to use a larger pot. Give them 2-4 years before this kind of a change.
If you have any questions about either amaryllis or other garden issues, Email me!.