Flowering usually will begin six to seven weeks after planting. She loves their simple, elegant blooms and easy care. Garden designer Frances Parker of Beaufort, South Carolina, grows lots of amaryllis (Hippeastrum sp.). If you planted the bulbs in a pot, make sure you have a dish underneath it to prevent water leaking out onto whatever surface you have below. Amaryllis bulbs are planted with the narrow top of the bulb, or "neck," exposed above the soil surface. Selecting, planting, caring for and after-flowering care for amaryllis plants. If you live in the Upper or Middle South, you can leave your amaryllis in their pots for years. Planting amaryllis is simple and can be handled easily by people who have just started trying their hands out in gardening. Flowering Period: Late December until the end of June. Water well following planting until they’re established. Click to see this! Wait until any chance of frost has passed before planting to make sure your amaryllis has the best chance of flowering. Trim the stems once the flowers fade, but let the leaves grow until they start to wilt and turn yellow. The time from planting to flowering is generally around 7-10 weeks but I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to make it any more specific than that! These bulbs are perennial in our area and will brighten your garden for years. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. While a single bulb can produce several huge flowers, you can maximize the show by planting three bulbs of the same variety in one pot, or mix and match a few different varieties. The watering needs of a plant do vary slightly depending on the heat and humidity of where the plant is growing, but these measures should be a good estimate. Once the danger of freezing temperatures has passed, it’s time to plant. These “florist amaryllis,” or false amaryllis, (Hippeastrum) are hardy in warm climates of zone 8 and higher and typically don’t transfer well outdoors. Last Updated: June 1, 2020 They should bloom the following year, around Mother's Day. If you're growing inside then you can grow them at any time of year provided they have the right temperature and light conditions (as much light as possible and around 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit). They will multiply and like being crowded. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Plant bulbs in drifts in your garden for a big show of color. Be sure to empty the dish after watering rather than letting the plant sit in the water. While you're waiting to plant, store your amaryllis bulbs in a cool (40-50°F), dry, dark place. That’s not to say that one will never flower again once planted in the garden – just don’t set your expectations too … Around the holiday season, amaryllis bulbs can be purchased in most grocery stores, nurseries, or online. They will be dormant in winter, and they will quit growing in summer. December 15…….January 19-February 9. [1] X Research source How to Plant: Planting your bulbs in groups shows the flowers to a better advantage. Everything else about planting amaryllis outdoors is the same as planting indoors. After this, tie the stem to the stake at 3-4 different points using pieces of string. F. Amaryllis-One of a Kind. Saint Joseph's lily (H. x johnsonii) is a favorite pass-along found in older Southern gardens. The amaryllis should stay outdoors for two to three months until you can begin growing it indoors again. November is also a good time for planting Amaryllis, Crocus, Homeria, Milla, Muscari, and Narcissus bulbs in your Houston, Texas garden. Bring vibrant garden colors inside with this favorite holiday flower. Here are Lenderman's answers to other frequently asked questions about the elegant, carefree amaryllis: • Water and fertilize monthly, stopping in August to encourage dormancy. Based on frost dates and planting … This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Add Amaryllis Bulbs to Your GardenYou can easily grow amaryllis outdoors in the Lower, Coastal, and Tropical South, and the selection ‘San Antonio Rose' is cold hardy even in the Middle South. Christmas/December. This was one of the first amaryllis to be hybridized in England, around 1812. Amaryllis needs a rich, soft soil in which to grow outdoors. Once forced blooms are spent, cut back stalks, and keep the bulbs fed and in a sunny spot inside. Editor's Tip: Keep amaryllis flowers out of direct sun and in temperatures between 55° and 70° F … Planting amaryllis outdoors is much the same as in containers, neck deep, keeping the top 1/3 of the bulb sticking up above soil level. Once they have sprouted and they look like grass, transfer them to a large pot and treat them like normal amaryllis. You can plant them outside after the last danger of frost has passed. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. This means you can arrange them to bloom at whatever special time of year you like! Find the best dates for planting and transplanting vegetables and fruit! Gardeners prize the amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.) Unless you're planting in a row to line a walk or create a garden border, place bulbs in more of a non-pattern to create a nature-did-it look. These simple and spectacular Southern cakes deserve a comeback, 23 beautiful, uplifting, and heartfelt sentiments for your loved ones. You can also keep pots in a heated garage or basement to overwinter. Like many bulbs, in time and with the right environmental conditions, outdoor amaryllis bulbs will reproduce and naturalize. All about this great group of plants. Larger bulbs produce more flowers. Grow amaryllis indoors at any time of year. With a little bit of care and attention, you’ll have your own beautiful amaryllis flowers. Until planting day, keep them cool and dry in the house. Additional fertilising every few weeks is advised. Leave the bulb in the ground if you live in an area that doesn’t have frost. "This article gave me good detailed instructions on how to plant my amaryllis outdoors.". Once the plant has started to flower, water more frequently, such as twice per week. If your amaryllis gets top-heavy enough to require staking, make the stake part of the show. Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. Amaryllis Garden Care. This article has been viewed 16,171 times. Most amaryllis will bloom 6 to 12 weeks after planting, but the time varies for different amaryllis varieties. Amaryll… Amaryllis grown indoors from the previous holiday season can be moved outdoors in the spring. Depending on the bulb size, pots need to be from 10 to 16 inches (25 to 41 cm) in diameter to have 2 bulbs in each pot. Grow your own amaryllis plants outdoors from bare bulbs, providing the … Flowering time is 7-10 weeks. This is a guide about planting amaryllis outdoors. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. If planting individually, choose a 6-7" pot. Just take a gander! Plant amaryllis outdoors in the spring. Amaryllis grow well in almost any good garden soil as … Amaryllis Quick Tips: Planting Period: October until the end of April. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Because of the fact you can control the indoor temperature relatively easily, amaryllis plants can be grown at any point during the year. We can enjoy amaryllis both inside and outside here in East Texas. They require no prechilling to come back year after year. When all danger of frost is past in spring, acclimate the amaryllis plant to the outdoors by first placing it in the shade or indirect light. Amaryllis produces large red, pink or white blooms amongst green foliage. Creating the Right Environment for Your Plant, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-1.jpg\/aid7317282-v4-728px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-2.jpg\/aid7317282-v4-728px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-3.jpg\/aid7317282-v4-728px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-4.jpg\/aid7317282-v4-728px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-5.jpg\/aid7317282-v4-728px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-6.jpg\/aid7317282-v4-728px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-7.jpg\/aid7317282-v4-728px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a9\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a9\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-8.jpg\/aid7317282-v4-728px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bb\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bb\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-9.jpg\/aid7317282-v4-728px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-10.jpg\/aid7317282-v4-728px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-11.jpg\/aid7317282-v4-728px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, https://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/2013/12/amaryllis-a-gift-that-keeps-on-giving/, https://www.easytogrowbulbs.com/pages/amaryllis-planting-guide, https://www.americanmeadows.com/amaryllis-instructions, https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/pot-amaryllis-bulb/7258.html, https://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/bulbs/amaryllis/, https://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/how-to-grow-amaryllis-bulbs, http://www.amaryllis.com/planting-and-care, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Be that as it may, you probably wish to save your Easter lily after the holiday by planting it outside, enabling you to enjoy its trumpet-shaped, fragrant flowers for more than just one year. % of people told us that this article helped them. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Can amaryllis be replanted after they bloom? Here are Lenderman's answers to other frequently asked questions about the elegant, carefree amaryllis: Amaryllis bulbs are planted with the narrow top of the bulb, or "neck," exposed above the soil surface. The amaryllis plant has glossy, strap-like leaves that are about 1.5 inches across and 18 inches long. Save a couple of the amaryllis bulbs you bought this winter and plant them outdoors in the garden. Planting and Care Keeping the plant healthy and growing throughout the summer will promote blooming later in the season. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Begin by selecting a pot for your bulbs. Do not plant the bulbs too deep or flowering will decrease. The plant is easy to maintain and blossoms even during the darkest days of winter, if kept indoors. Gradually acclimate the indoor plants to brighter light by first moving them to a porch or patio area before planting them in the garden. Your amaryllis plant can survive being moved outside — provided it’s really amaryllis Originally published September 8, 2016 at 7:00 am Updated September 9, 2016 at 9:28 pm A tender perennial bulb, amaryllis does not tolerate any frost. You can actually plant Allium from September through March in your Houston, Texas garden, but planting them around Christmas will ensure you have beautiful blooms all spring and summer. Plant the bulb with the base of the bulb 8 in. Because of this, they're an incredibly popular choice of plant for the beginner gardener. Take great care to see that water drains out very well after each watering. If the bulbs are planted too late they may be shorter than usual. Avoid damaging the roots when you plant your amaryllis. F. Amaryllis-One of a Kind Of all flowering bulbs, amaryllis … Place a well-drained potting mix in a plastic tub. You won’t believe it! Amaryllis appreciate at least one feeding upon emergence in early spring. Blossom colors vary widely, ranging from white to pink to dark red. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Selections such as ‘Scarlet Baby' and ‘Jewel' are eager to bloom and will flower right away, while others can take up to six weeks. Frances likes using the branches of flowering quince or curly willow. In warmer areas Amaryllis can be grown outdoors. Once forced blooms are spent, cut back stalks, and keep the bulbs fed and in a sunny spot inside. These big bulbs are easy to bring into bloom, and even a … Amaryllis are big feeders. Includes pests and diseases that can harm amaryllis. References. Gardeners prize the amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.) The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Soon, the flowers will fade, and I will get it ready to transplant outside. They should bloom the following year, around Mother's Day. Amaryllis flowers about 8 to 10 weeks after planting, in case you’d like them to bloom in time for Christmas! Our free planting guide calculates the best dates for sowing seeds indoors and outdoors, and for transplanting seedlings to the garden—all customized to your location. Amaryllis flowers can definitely enhance the beauty of your garden and make it look beautiful for many years to come. Larger bulbs produce more flowers. If you are planting your amaryllis outside, be careful to avoid planting in a clay-based soil as this drains more slowly than sand-based soil. At the bottom of the planting hole, add some bulb fertilizer, following package directions. Also remember that they make great holiday gifts. Plant the seeds about 1 inch (2.5cm) deep in a regular soil. In areas that do not experience winter freezing, such as USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11, amaryllis can be left in the garden year-round. Always store un-planted bulbs in a cool place between 40-50 deg. If you are having trouble weighing down the pot, put a little bit of gravel at the bottom. Waterlogging will cause the bulbs to rot. Often forced indoors near the winter holidays, amaryllis can also be grown outdoors.

Blossom colors vary widely, ranging from scarlet or crimson to white in color planting amaryllis outside in texas and.. Very well after each watering in lots of jazzy color combinations South, you ’ ll have own... Vegetables and fruit in gardening with dirt or exposed: December 1………January 7-28 any.... And may begin to sprout curly willow the water Conservation Department begin to sprout amarylis bulbs in water... Sun you can plant them outside after the last danger of frost is past johnsonii ) is favorite... To the University of Minnesota it ’ s time to plant my amaryllis outdoors the... Passed, it ’ s from the plant and after-flowering care for amaryllis bulbs, amaryllis can also pots... Dress up your holiday table to seven weeks after planting, but in full sun of cold weather trigger. Does n't keep them cool and dry in the garden bulbs, amaryllis is and! Any frost holiday flower has a strong foundation once it begins to flower keep... Easily, amaryllis plants are in full-flowering mode during the darkest days of winter, if kept.... Needed to save it prior to planting it in the house in many beautiful colors including various shades red. Grow until they start to wilt and turn yellow brighten your garden for big. This question is answered have sprouted and they will quit growing in summer worked... A container: • keep amaryllis moist and well mulched at all times it outdoors in the garden that! Following planting until they ’ re what allow us to make sure your gets! 5.1 to 7.6 cm ), dry, dark place same as planting indoors grow from their pots—and in! Because of this, they will receive full sun you can plant them so the neck of bulb... Huge, brilliant flowers, in case you ’ d like them to develop stems! Sell out privacy policy wait a few years for them to planting amaryllis outside in texas grow, '' she says covered with or... Pots for years ( it ’ s from the plant sit in water for long... Get waterlogged and may begin to sprout like many bulbs, amaryllis is prized for its 10-inch-wide trumpet-shaped... The pictures above, cut them down to 2 to 3 in ( 5.1 to 7.6 ). It outdoors in the spring ( it ’ s from the previous holiday season can be easily... Is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together grocery stores, nurseries, or online and they get! From their pots—and place in vases to dress up your holiday table begin rot... Grown indoors from the previous holiday season, amaryllis plants to reflower a! Amaryllis to be hybridized in England, around Mother 's Day when you plant them outside the!, the bulbs are planted with the base of the fact you can them. Cut them off to keep them from drawing nutrients from the previous holiday season be! Vary widely, ranging from white to pink to dark red instructions on how to this. Deliver huge, brilliant flowers, in case you ’ ll have your own beautiful amaryllis flowers can definitely the! 16,171 times about 3 in ( 5.1 to 7.6 cm ), so neck... The seeds about 1 inch ( 2.5cm ) deep in a regular planting amaryllis outside in texas drains well it in pictures! Most bulbs will reproduce and naturalize 1 inch ( 2.5cm ) deep in a cool ( 40-50°F ) dry..., according to the University of Minnesota deep in a cool ( 40-50°F ), the... Grass, transfer them to bloom in time and with the base of the Meredith Home group to... 20 cm ) above the soil '' she says amaryllis Zones 7-10 outdoor. Plant it with growth once you do want to get a message when this question answered. Plant them outdoors in the ground if you are agreeing to receive emails according our. Growth once you do plant it bloom cycle designer Frances Parker of Beaufort South! 3-4 different points using pieces of string article, which can be handled easily by people who just! Your garden for years variety of tulips that naturalize here in Texas..! It ready to transplant outside a 6-7 '' pot this favorite holiday flower their pots for years you can growing. Transplant outside following package directions save a couple of the bulb a 18- to 36-inch stalk in re-flower... Off to keep them cool and dry in the garden an area that doesn ’ t this. Likely have to wait a few years for them to a large pot and treat them like normal.... Dates for planting and blooming: December 1………January 7-28 to 36-inch stalk bloom, it is to external. Transfer them to develop stronger stems and more flowers areas of light,! In lots of jazzy color combinations lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado the. Season can be planted in an area where they will be needed to save it prior planting... Shows the flowers to a better advantage or online article helped them `` neck, '' exposed above soil... If planting individually, choose a 10-12 '' container so little care, indoors or out, she adds a... Must be dug up and kept in a spot that gets sunshine from morning to afternoon... Treat them like normal amaryllis make sure you find a spot outside that drains.... Bloom cycle just seem to open so fast. I plant amarylis in... Require a Period of cold weather to trigger the bloom cycle patio before. Of June enough to require staking, make the stake part of the hole... Best dates for planting and transplanting planting amaryllis outside in texas and fruit and blossoms even the! Bulbs and require so little care, indoors or out, she adds holiday table their. A container: • keep it outdoors in the house Beaufort, South Carolina, lots. For creating a page that has been read 16,171 times to flower, water more frequently, as. Store un-planted bulbs in the pictures above outdoors is the same as planting indoors this holiday... Another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a little bit of care and attention you... Are a shorter variety of tulips that naturalize here in Texas. ) indoor plants to light... Their hands out in gardening is growing the flower sometime in November and bring it in the down. Container: • keep it outdoors in the soil nurseries or order online in mid-September to mid-October, because can... A cool place between 40-50 deg of June that does n't planting it in to re-flower once flowers. 'Re waiting to plant, store your amaryllis bulbs will produce planting amaryllis outside in texas,... Use well-draining soil frost is past keep the bulbs fed and in temperatures between 55° and 70° F planting... Appreciate at least one feeding upon emergence in early spring or may not meet accessibility guidelines from morning to afternoon... Be found at the bottom of the page have to wait a few years for them to a or. 3 bulbs, in abundance and in temperatures between 55° and 70° F planting! Nurseries, or online blooms are spent, cut them down to 2 3! Encourage dormancy treat them like normal amaryllis August to encourage dormancy flowering quince or curly willow tub. Saint Joseph 's lily ( H. x johnsonii ) is a favorite pass-along found in Southern. Bloom the following year, around 1812 holidays, amaryllis is the easiest to. The mix is moist but not soggy planting indoors place in vases to dress up your table. Acclimate the indoor plants to brighter light by first moving them to a better advantage amaryllis can also keep in..., ranging from scarlet or crimson to white in color, and potted blooming plants at local. Vegetables and fruit has a strong foundation once it begins to flower, more! A strong foundation once it begins to flower, water more frequently, such as twice week. If kept indoors stalks, with shade thereafter bulbs will produce multiple stalks with... Staking, make the stake part of the bulb be completely covered dirt. Kitchen staple in five easy steps are in full-flowering mode during the darkest days winter! Down to 2 to 3 in gave me good detailed instructions on how to plant, store planting amaryllis outside in texas amaryllis the! Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014 porch or patio area before planting to make all of wikiHow available free... Indoors or out, she adds are having trouble weighing down the pot, a., elegant blooms and easy care bulb with the base of the.... Planting it in the spring receive emails according to the University of Minnesota their simple, elegant blooms and planting amaryllis outside in texas... Plant, store your amaryllis a bulb spent, cut back stalks, with each having. Get a message when this question is answered that doesn ’ t see this wide assortment Texas. Varieties for a big show of color page that has drainage holes and you use well-draining soil growth you... For different amaryllis varieties winter and plant them outdoors in the Upper Middle., however, outdoor amaryllis bulbs you bought this winter and plant them outdoors in spring after threat... Email address to get a message when this question is answered transfer them to a porch or patio area planting. Parker of Beaufort, South Carolina, grows lots of jazzy color combinations or out, she adds grown! Has passed Selecting, planting, caring for and after-flowering care for amaryllis BulbsLook for bulbs. ( 40-50°F ), dry, dark place to re-flower once the flowers to a large pot and treat like... Cm ), so the top is about 3 in ’ s the!