At the Gloucester Master Gardener Holiday Party, fellow Master Gardener Kay Williamson showed us a gift she had received from a friend—a waxed amaryllis. The bulb resembled a round, shiny, red tomato or a wheel of Gouda cheese. Kay told us that the wax coating contains sufficient moisture and nutrients to allow the bulb to produce the familiar strap-like leaves and bloom in all its winter glory.

Most of us are familiar with the exotic amaryllis, a favorite bulb for indoor winter forcing. The Brazilian natives develop into big, showy, red, pink, white, yellow, and salmon-colored blooms. There are striped cultivars, double blooms, and flowers with contrasting edges. Miniature varieties are available, too.

In fact, the bulb we call amaryllis is really a cultivar of the Brazilian native Hippeastrum. The true Amaryllis, also known as belladonna lily, is a South African native. It is neither a member of the belladonna nor the lily families. To ease some of the confusion, both Hippeastrum and Amaryllis belong to the Amaryllidaceae family.

You may have tried your hand at forcing an amaryllis bulb for the Christmas season. It isn’t too difficult a task, and the rewards are great. After the bulb finishes blooming, you can plant it outside in a sunny location for the summer. Bring the amaryllis back inside in late fall, trim the leaves back, and begin the forcing process over again.

Over the last several years, waxed amaryllis bulbs have gained popularity. They require very little work. Set the wax ball on a plate and watch the leaves grow and the blossoms unfurl. No need to water or fertilize. Rotate the plant every few days, and move it to a cool spot in the evening. Stake it to keep it from flopping over.

Like the traditionally forced amaryllis bulb, the average bloom time is approximately eight weeks. Start the bulb in a cool, dark place (55°-70°F), and then move to a sunny location when shoots appear. Amaryllis flourishes in heat and sunlight. Keep the plant away from heating vents and drafts.

These magical bulbs are not inexpensive. I found prices on the internet that ranged from $14.95 for a single bulb to $49.95 for a set of three. The high cost led me to two questions: How will I know whether I have purchased a healthy bulb? What will I do with a waxed amaryllis after it has finished blooming?

To answer the first question, look for amaryllis bulbs coated with intact, uncracked wax. Bulbs should be firm, not mushy, and should not have an odor. The protruding stalk and leaf tips should not appear dry.

After the amaryllis has bloomed, and the flowers are fading, don’t throw away the bulb. I found two separate techniques on the internet for saving a waxed amaryllis bulb to re-force next fall. Susan Mulvihill, a garden writer, presented a simple technique in her YouTube video “Planting a Waxed Amaryllis: Everyone Can Grow a Garden.” The process involves carefully peeling away the wax and planting the bulb in fresh potting mix, not garden soil, which contains pathogens. Roots should develop in 3 to 4 weeks, and the bulb can be moved outside.

The second technique, “Prep Your Waxed Amaryllis to Rebloom Next Year,” written by Ann A., a University of Delaware Master Gardener, is more complex. This method also involves peeling away the wax. With the wax removed, place the bulb on several layers of damp paper towels placed in a plastic take-out lid. Put the bulb in a sunny window, and keep the paper towels moist but not wet. You should see roots in 4 to 6 weeks. When the roots are 3 to 5 inches long, plant the bulb in fresh potting medium with the neck visible.

Whether you plant an amaryllis bulb in the traditional manner or try a waxed bulb, enjoy this cheerful, colorful symbol of the holiday season.