THE BOXED BULBS on an end cap at a big box store caught my eye, as intended. I worked briefly as a grocery store clerk back in the day when cashiers read and punched prices onto cash register keys. I learned then all about moving products by strategically placing them on the end of a shelf row.
So here I was, falling for the age-old marketing gimmick of pushing impulse purchases. But on this day, I was thankful for that end cap display of boxed amaryllis bulbs. This would make the perfect birthday gift for my soon-to-be 5-year-old grandson. Or so I thought.
On Isaac’s birthday in early January, we gathered to celebrate. As Isaac opened his gift stash, it was obvious he liked some presents more than others. That’s the thing about kids his age. They can’t hide their honest reaction, their true feelings. He loved the LEGO sets, the sticker book, the… But when he pulled the boxed bulb from the gift bag, Isaac promptly tossed it aside. Not set the box on the carpet, but threw it. Not even an explanation from Grandma about planting the bulb which would flower in big, beautiful red blooms changed his mind. He didn’t care.
I should back up a minute and explain why I thought this would be a good gift for my grandson. Last spring I gave several packets of seeds to the grandkids. Spinach, carrot and flower seeds, which my eldest daughter planted with her son. He took an interest once the seeds sprouted and the plants grew. Amber called him “Farmer Isaac.”
The farm girl in me felt encouraged. My grandchildren, who live in a sprawling new housing development in the south metro, are far-removed from their rural heritage. It’s important to me that they understand their agrarian roots. Randy and I grew up on crop and dairy farms—farms with large gardens from whence came most of our food. Youth like Isaac and his sister, Isabelle, need to know that food originates on farms, not grocery store shelves. As preschoolers, they loved to dig in the dirt at our house. I would hand them shovels and the dirt would fly. Kids need to touch the earth, splash in mud puddles, gather sticks and pine cones and leaves and do all those activities that connect them to the land. And make their hands dirty.
But now here was this dormant amaryllis bulb all ugly and brown and not looking at all like anything that would ever grow. But, once potted, grow it did. When the first green leaves emerged from the massive bulb at the end of January, Isaac suddenly took an interest. “You better take a picture to show Grandma,” he instructed his mom.
A few weeks later, the first of several flowers bloomed. And there was Isaac again in a photo, right elbow learning on the kitchen island by sheets of paper for his next art project, left hand on his world atlas, jigsaw puzzles and that once dormant amaryllis bulb now blooming in the foreground. His smile was wide, his happiness evident. The amaryllis had its moment. Big. Bold. Beautiful red. No longer tossed aside. Finally and fully appreciated by the birthday boy.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
in addition to the beautiful future flower, you gave him other wonderful gifts that day: he learned that things are not always as they first appear, be patient, don’t give up on them, and beauty will sometimes appear in the most unlikely of places, if are open to it. love this post,
I hadn’t considered those aspects of my gift, Beth, so THANK YOU for pointing those out.
Tooo cute. isnt it fun to enjoy grand kids!!!’kathyg
Grandkids are THE BEST! I see mine tomorrow.
Yeah!!!’. enjoy!!!
I will. I haven’t seen them in three weeks and this grandma misses them. 🙂
What a great story.
And a beautiful amaryllis.
Thank you, Valerie! I do love how this story has a happy ending in Isaac loving the blooming (not boxed) amaryllis. 🙂
Dirt is important, though it has a different meaning in NYC! Nicole, being a gardner, does have the pleasure of taking Ethan to work with her when he is willing!
I love that Nicole digs in the dirt, at least the Minnesota version of dirt. And that Ethan can sometimes accompany her to work is a bonus.
I am a huge amaryllis fan, ever since a friend gave me one as a housewarming gift many years ago. Since then, I’ve acquired many, and have attempted to keep them alive. I currently have 24 bulbs in 17 pots; of those, 3 have buds, and 2 appear to have become “permanently dormant.”
They usually bloom Feb. thru March for me. Red Lion and Minerva varieties seem to have greater longevity. My favorite is a white variety that somehow manages to bloom near Easter, as though it’s an Easter lily; I just noticed today it has a flower bud.
Those long, strappy leaves are not the most attractive, but the blossoms are always worth it. The flower stems grow so fast that I think of them as instant gratification. I’ve even caught a cat or two staring at the pot with cocked ears, as though they can hear it growing. https://flic.kr/p/4CQegt
Isaac may become an amaryllis fan for life!
That is a whole lot of amaryllis growing in your home. What a beautiful scene to see all those in bloom. Thank you for sharing your love of this flower. How do you store the bulbs between growing seasons?
They don’t all bloom at once (if at all). I prefer it that way! I take the lazy way out of dealing with bulb storage: I don’t. I maintain the plants year-round, even though the long strappy leaves can look untidy. At least they’re green!
Forcing bulbs into dormancy may result in more frequent blooms but storing them requires conditions (temperature, moisture, darkness) which I can’t easily control in my upper floor home. Bulbs need to build up energy reserves to bloom, and don’t get enough sunlight here to do so. My plants are confined to a room that gets little heat, so that may be a factor for blooming. I do put some plants outside in summer, but squirrels like to dig the bulbs up, even chew on them, so protecting them is a hassle.
I’m just grateful for the blooms I do get, and the surprise of finding a bud or two when all seems bleak.
Thanks for answering my question about bulb storage. My daughter asked yesterday. So she will need to do her own research. I’ve saved other bulbs before and it is a bit of a hassle. It sounds like your amaryllis have brought you a whole lot of joy.
I have fond memories of this flower from growing up ! It was a favorite and we even named a kitten amaryllis because she was born in a flower bed with these beautiful flowers. Isaac soon learned that there was a beautiful surprise in that box, didn’t he?
Oh, my, what a sweet name for a kitten. I can see this as a girl’s name, too. Gretchen from Worthington inspired me as she grows amaryllis.
I remember you telling me about this- I’m so glad he has come to appreciate the bulb!
Isaac sure did. And you were the one who inspired me to give him an amaryllis bulb.
That’s so fun! I haven’t even yet planted mine this year!
I wondered if you were going to plant yours.