Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Amaryllis as a Cut Flower


We tend to think of amaryllis as flowering bulbs, but they also make great, long lasting cut flowers. I purchased three stems at the grocery store and have enjoyed watching the large, trumpet shaped blooms open over the last few days.


In case you are wondering, no, these aren't a new yellow variety of amaryllis. I usually try to photograph flowers in natural sunlight, but with rain, then snow and now grey, bitter cold, sunlight has been in short supply. These were shot on my kitchen counter, where an energy efficient bulb casts a yellow light. The flowers are actually a lovely ivory color.


It is interesting that when the flowers first open, the enlarged anthers thrust forward intent, no doubt, to temp insects to the flower.


Then the anthers shrink in size and pollen is visible, as you see here.


Tall and stately, they look great in my tall, cylindrical glass vase. Now fully open, the sweeping curves of the flowers are simply beautiful.


For an interesting visit to a Prins Grow Inc., an amaryllis grower in the Niagara area, check out this short video segment: House and Home Television. The clip runs a short 4:59 minutes and includes many tips for arranging and enjoying amaryllis over the holidays. When the link takes you to the new window, just click the center arrow and the show will play, after a brief commercial.

For all you bakers, there are also short video segments on Mexican Wedding Ball cookies and Gingerbread cookies.

Mexican Wedding Ball Cookies. Photo by John Cullen. Prop & Food Styling Saha Seymour. Canadian House and Home Magazine November 2010.

Go, take a look when you have a moment.  

17 comments:

  1. Jennifer, just gorgeous! I have not seen any of the stems in our local stores, but I have heard the stems last longer in water than they do on the bulb.

    Eileen

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  2. Your amaryllis looks beautiful even without some natural light. When I get the chance I'm going to go have a peek at the videos! I absolutely LOVE gingerbread but have never made it as I avoid cutout cookies due to all the work. Although I do allot of baking for the holidays, I'm always looking for something simple and fast but tasty!

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  3. Fine amaryllis captures, Jennifer. I'm anxiously waiting for my potted one to bloom :)

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  4. I too love Amaryllis as a cut flower, especially when we cannot have the bulbs in bloom. They are very striking as are your photos!! Lovely Jennifer!

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  5. Thanks for the video link. The arrangements were really gorgeous. They do make lovely cut flowers. I have red lion in the house now from a bulb. Since it is only one bulb, I would not dream of cutting it. I was amazed at how many they were growing.

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  6. Lovely photos of the amaryllis. Not having seen the real thing I loved the color. Carolyn

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  7. Our warmth leaked alitlle bit last night- may some of it find its way up to you.

    Your amaryllis aw simply stunning. My writing assignments lead me to believe their sculptural qualities will lead them to a fine future.

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  8. Wow! Beautiful flowers and excellent photos! Mine are not blooming. I think they dislike clay soil. I'm digging them out and growing them in pots.

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  9. Set against anything white and snowy I'm sure even soft ivory glows like warm sunlight. It's one of my favorite colors for the garden, such a peacemaker when set against more brash colors.

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  10. What beautiful photos! I haven't seen amaryllis as cut flowers locally, but it's a great idea.

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  11. I came here to thank you for stopping by my blog recently and commenting. However, I was taken by your photography and these amaryllis are subtly beautiful. After resolving not to add any other blogs to my subscription list, I have added yet another.

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  12. Your photos of my favorite winter bulbs are just spectacular Jennifer. (winter light and all). I've never used them as cut flowers although I see them used that way all the time in magazines and love the look. I guess I also haven't noticed them for sale as stems around here or I'd definitely buy some! I hope they last a long time for you. and I could eat a whole batch of those Mexican wedding cookies. omg...

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  13. I've been lamenting my lack of an amaryllis this season and now you've offered me the path to instant gratification! I love the way you photographed your blooms (and now they'll last forever)!

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  14. Hi Jennifer, your photographs are stunning. I find white flowers difficult to shoot - do you have any pointers? I wonder if the paper-whites can be used as cut flowers too?

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  15. Love the info you shared I did not know that amaryllis would last as a cut flower. Wonderful photos....

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  16. Thanks everyone for the appreciative comments.
    Cat (The Whimsical Gardener), I am very much an amateur photographer and so I am not sure I am in any position to be dispensing advice on photography. All I can tell you is that good light makes all the difference.
    I love paperwhites, but fear that their stems which are prone to bruising or snapping would not make them good candidates for being cut flowers.
    My amaryllis are still going strong.

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