Amaryllis and Hippeastrums: Question about Bloom Stalks, 0 by litmusician

litmusician wrote:
I believe the stalks tend to draw energy from the bulb - especially if any of the flowers have gone to seed (the base of the flower at the neck will swell up). Unless I am cross-pollenating them, I cut the stalks leaving about an inch above the neck of the bulb to wither and dry up.
Jennifer, new flowers only come from inside the bulb on new stalks. It takes about 4 leaves to produce a flower stalk for the next blooming time.
After you amaryllis has bloomed, remove the stalk, and continue to water and place in a nice, sunny spot. Your bulb may already show leaves - allow them to grow, grow, grow - this is what gives the bulb energy and nutrients. Then, in the Fall, you can start to withhold watering and allow the leaves to dry and wither. After they are yellow/brown, cut them off. Let bulb rest in a cool spot for about 2 months, then start watering very very sparingly - if you overwater at this time, it will encourage leaves and not flowers.
Hope this helps!
John