What's the best way to grow amaryllis?

I received an amaryllis bulb for Christmas. What is the best way to grow this plant and allow it to flower? Shelly C., Loomis
What a wonderful gift. It's one that I always enjoy giving and receiving. They are fun for children, too. They grow fast like magic beans!
Amaryllis, Hippeastrum, bulbs are available from autumn to winter. As gifts they may be packaged in boxed sets with their own pots. If you provide a pot for the bulb, be sure it has a drainage hole.
Pot the bulb in rich sandy potting mix amended with superphosphate or bone meal. Set the bulb high with the upper part above the soil surface. Allow 2 inches from the bulb to the pot's edge. A 6-inch pot is ideal.
Firm the soil around the bulb and water thoroughly. Keep the soil barely moist until the plant growth begins. That's when the fun starts as these plants can grow inches overnight!
The flowers can be single or double and can come in white through pink to salmon and red. The dramatic flowers will brighten any dull winter afternoon.
After the flowers fade, cut off the stem near the bulb. Keep up regular watering until summer. Cut back on watering and the leaves will yellow. As they die back, stop watering and let the bulb dry out.
You can repot in late fall or early winter. If this seems like more work than you'd like, buy another gift bulb next year. Amaryllis can be planted in the garden in milder climates. In your area, zone 9, it's possible to grow in a sheltered area. Plant in the fall.
Grown outdoors, bulbs flower in the spring. Just be sure to protect their succulent foliage from slugs and snails. Enjoy your holiday gift.
References: Sunset Western Garden Book
More information regarding "bulbs" can be obtained from University of California Cooperative Extension Web site http://cooperativeextension@ucdavis.edu or call the Master Gardener office at (530) 889-7385 or visit http:// ceplacernevada@ucdavis.edu