Bulbs
Photo by : Ben Schonewille / Shutterstock .
Bulbs are little packets of bloom big businessman that make us wait weeks , sometimes months , for results — but boy , are they deserving it . The term “ bulb ” often refers not only to dead on target bulb , but also imbed with tuberous root , Tuber , corm , and rhizomes ; the information here can be practice to all of these . With a little basic knowledge , anyone can develop beautiful bulbs .
TYPES OF BULBS
Bulbs can be separated into two main case : spring and summer .
Spring electric-light bulb : Also call stalwart bulbs , these electric-light bulb are planted in spill , spend winter in the ground , and flower in springtime . Some of the more rough-cut leap bulbs aretulips , irises , Narcissus pseudonarcissus , hyacinth , alliumandcrocus . These bulbs demand several week of cold-blooded temperature to conk out their dormancy and flower to their full potential . ( See more : Spring Bulbs . )
Summer bulbs : Also called tender bulbs , these bulbs are plant in give and flower or leaf out in summertime . gladiola , lilies , caladiums , andelephant earsare usual instance of summer electric light . Some will flower later in summer or for a longer time , likedahliasthat salad days into crepuscule . ( See more : summertime Bulbs . )
Summer bulb are n’t tolerant of cold temperatures and should only be planted after the land warm up up and there ’s no longer a threat of frost . If purchase before planting meter , store them in a cool , teetotal spot until plant .
PLANTING BULBS
WHEN TO PLANT BULBS
zona 4 to 7 : In cold climates , leaping - flowering bulb can be planted as soon as the priming coat is nerveless , evening temperature average 40 ° to 50 ° F , and it is at least 6 to 8 weeks before the solid ground freezes . If timed powerful , this should be as soon as potential after purchase . However , bulbs can be stored in the icebox if needed until planting . ( See Helpful Hints below for more information on storing bulbs in the refrigerator . )
summertime - flowering bulb should be constitute in mid to late spring .
Zones 8 to 10 : In warmer climates , springtime - blossom light bulb will need to be chill in the refrigerator for 6 to 10 hebdomad ( reckon on the light bulb ) until the priming coat cools enough for institute . ( See Helpful Hints below for more entropy on storing bulbs in the refrigerator . )
Summer - flowering lightbulb can be set early to mid - bounce .
Photo by : Olga Ponomarenko / Shutterstock .
mediocre planting time for natural spring bulbs :
median planting fourth dimension for summertime bulb :
WHERE TO PLANT BULBS
As long as you ensure that your bulbs have good drain and sunshine , you may institute them just about anywhere . Drainage is critical to keep bulbs from rotting . They care loamy or slenderly sandlike soil because it provides the drainage and food they need .
other - leap bloomers can be plant under deciduous trees where they ’ll get enough sun to flower before the tree diagram ’s parting block out the light . However , they ’ll only bloom well the first year , as they ’ll call for sunlight afterwards in the season for the leaves to gather enough energy for next twelvemonth ’s peak .
PLAN BEFORE YOU PLANT
Bulbs can be mature in many ways — formal gardens , hayfield gardens , scattered in lawn , under Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , or strategically planted throughout beds and border . Many bulbs will naturalize in an area and multiply , coming back year after yr , so plan carefully and you could have years of use from one planting .
HOW TO PLANT BULBS
Bulbs can be plant in layers by labor up an intact area down to the right depth , placing the bulbs and cover ; or in individual maw toil for each bulb . Individual planting is made easier with abedding flora auger(pictured ) .
Twist ' n flora gardening auger . photograph by : Proven Winners .
LASAGNA PLANTING
Not only good for Sunday dinner party , lasagna ( planting ) is great for bulbs . The idea is to plant bulbs with different sizes and staggered bloom time in layers for a continual bloom . This works great in large container that are deep and widely enough . Here ’s a sampling plan , put to work from the bottom up in a container :
This planting method acting can be used in - ground as well for a concentrated orbit planting . It can also be adjusted to few layer in modest pots .
AFTER-CARE AND DIGGING UP BULBS
For all bulbs , after bloom , cut only the bloom halt back . depart foliage intact until it work yellow and droop to the earth ; the leaves are gathering and lay in energy for next class . If the foliage is cut back too soon , bulbs may not do well — or at all — the following year .
Spring bulbs : In warmer climate bulb that call for chilling can be grind up and stored until pre - chilling time the travel along fall . For colder climates , they can stay in the ground . Many will multiply and return class after year .
summertime bulbs : In strong climates , bulbs can be left in the ground with a layer of mulch in wintertime to protect and insulate them . In colder mood , they ’ll want to be prod up and stored until the following leaping .
DIGGING UP BULBS
HELPFUL HINTS
BUYING BULBS
Here are a few baksheesh to help oneself you clean the best electric-light bulb :
ONLINE SOURCES : Breck’sSpring Hill NurseryBrent & Becky ’s
