Simply plant a bulb in a pot, and in six to eight weeks you'll have blooms. Those potted this weekend would bloom just after the New Year's. African amaryllis bulbs will flower three to five weeks after planting and have large blooms on shorter stalks that do not require staking. Ask your nurseryman to identify the bulbs if they are not labeled. To force amaryllis for winter color, select large, firm bulbs.
Bigger bulbs generate more flower stalks, therefore more blooms.
Clean the bulbs by removing dried scales and any dried roots. Soak the roots and the bottom of the bulb in lukewarm water for at least four hours before potting. Keep the upper half of the bulb dry. Bloom time varies a little among varieties. Pot African amaryllis bulbs three to five weeks before desired bloom time.