Dear Amaryllis Enthusiast,

Thanks for submitting a question to Ask and Expert. You can bypass this process by coming directly to one of our Yavapai County Offices and asking a Master Gardener. Here is our website address: http://extension.arizona.edu/yavapai. Click on "Location" to find the nearest office. You may also ask Master Gardeners questions by phone or email at: <personal data hidden> or <personal data hidden> in Camp Verde or <personal data hidden> or <personal data hidden> x222 in Prescott.

As for your Amaryllis, those structures are seeds rather than bulbs. I found an article by a Texas A & M Master Gardener at the following website: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/weekly_Q&A/f&b-15-amaryllis-propagation.htm. It offered the following Information:

"Although natural pollination by insects can occur, it is best to carry out the pollination process with a small artist brush if you want to propagate from seed. Gently gather pollen from several mature stamens on the brush and apply it to a receptor pistil. The stamens are mature when the pollen is easily picked up on the brush and the pistil is mature when it begins to spread out with a slight backward arch to each of the three segments.

You will know that fertilization has occurred when the ovary, which is the slightly enlarged green area at the base of the bloom, begins to swell as the flower withers. The fertilized ovary will continue to enlarge until it is 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter, with clear segmentation. The fertile seed pod will change from green to a papery brown as the seeds mature.

Shortly after turning brown, the seed pod will split open along its segmentation lines, revealing stacks of wafer-like, black seeds. Collect the seed, spread them to dry for a day or two and then plant them.

Planting of the seeds can be carried out in several ways. They can be placed on the surface of moist potting soil in seed flats or large pots, then covered with a sheet of plastic or glass to maintain a humid environment for the sprouting seeds. If the weather is warm enough, they can be sown in a very shallow furrow and covered ever so slightly with fine soil to keep them from blowing. I have had very good results sprouting the seed on hydrated floral foam, such as Oasis. It is available in the fresh floral arranging section of most craft stores and from places where fresh flowers are sold. Only a small number of the seeds from each pod will be mature enough to germinate, so do not be discouraged if your germination rate is not as high as you are expecting.

The young plants will look very much like a small green onion or chive as they develop. When you see white roots developing, carefully transplant the seedlings to individual pots filled with a good, loose potting mix. Feed them regularly with dilute, balanced fertilizer and maintain them in a slightly shaded area so that they do not dry out. If you have planted the seeds in a furrow out of doors, you should gently redistribute the seedlings approximately 2-3 inches apart. In all methods of planting, keep the planting soil evenly moist but not wet."