Flower ID needed

Bought this ages ago but forgot what it is and how I look after it. Is it some kind of lily?

 

Hi Herb. Looks like an Amaryllis (hippeastrum) to me, the ones they sell for Christmas display as opposed to the garden variety A belladona.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippeastrum

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaryllis

I grow the A belladonna in the garden and they do better for me than the hybrid variety of which I have a couple.

 

Yep as usual Victoria is spot on

 

I'll second that Victoria, definately Amaryllis.

 

I'd got as far as Amarillis but no further.

 

You know I like to keep one step ahead of you A ...

My A belladonna is not as 'straggly' as those pictured in the Wiki link ... here is mine ... besides being pretty they have a lovely scent and are growing in rock-hard red clay ...

 

Agree.....ama thingie...

 

Thanks, that rings a distant bell somewhere!

As you can see, its in a pot, indoors. Can it live happily like this or should I move it outside once its died back?

 

Dry out naturally,

Just stop watering it when you think its dying herb. Maybe you could keep it going till spring even.

 

Once its dies back is it better to plant it outside or can I always keep it indoors?

 

Herb, I don't think the hybrids grow outside in the UK so it's best if you let it die back, dry it out and start it again next year. Admittedly, this is where I have a problem as I can't get the d*mned things going again, hence me preferring the A belladonna which tolerate all kinds of abuse ... lack of water, heat, torrential downpours*, poor soil ... they grow on roadsides here!

* I am still praying for our torrential winter downpours ... we have only had six days of rain since the first of May 2011!
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Thanks for the info