Bulbs
Photo by : Ben Schonewille / Shutterstock .
Bulbs are little mail boat of bloom power that make us hold back week , sometimes months , for results — but boy , are they worth it . The condition “ lightbulb ” often come to not only to true bulbs , but also establish with tuberous root , genus Tuber , corms , and rhizomes ; the entropy here can be applied to all of these . With a short basic knowledge , anyone can rise beautiful bulbs .
TYPES OF BULBS
Bulbs can be separated into two main types : spring and summer .
Spring bulb : Also call unfearing bulbs , these bulbs are set in free fall , spend winter in the ground , and flower in spring . Some of the more common spring bulbs aretulips , irises , daffodil , hyacinth , alliumandcrocus . These bulb need several weeks of insensate temperature to break dance their dormancy and flower to their full potentiality . ( See more : saltation Bulbs . )
Summer bulbs : Also called tender bulbs , these bulb are engraft in spring and efflorescence or flick out in summer . Gladiolus , lily , caladium , andelephant earsare common examples of summer light bulb . Some will bloom later in summertime or for a longer metre , likedahliasthat flush into fall . ( See more : summertime Bulbs . )
Summer bulbs are n’t tolerant of moth-eaten temperatures and should only be planted after the ground warms up and there ’s no longer a terror of frost . If purchased before planting time , store them in a cool , dry smear until planting .
PLANTING BULBS
WHEN TO PLANT BULBS
Zones 4 to 7 : In colder climates , spring - flowering electric light can be plant as before long as the priming coat is cool , evening temperatures average 40 ° to 50 ° F , and it is at least 6 to 8 workweek before the ground freeze . If timed mightily , this should be as soon as potential after purchase . However , bulbs can be stored in the icebox if necessitate until plant . ( See Helpful Hints below for more information on storing bulbs in the refrigerator . )
Summer - flowering bulbs should be planted in mid to belated spring .
Zones 8 to 10 : In warmer climates , spring - blossom bulbs will need to be cool down in the icebox for 6 to 10 weeks ( depending on the bulb ) until the ground cools enough for planting . ( See Helpful Hints below for more information on storing bulb in the refrigerator . )
Summer - flowering bulbs can be planted too soon to mid - spring .
photograph by : Olga Ponomarenko / Shutterstock .
Average planting clip for spring electric-light bulb :
Average planting times for summer bulbs :
WHERE TO PLANT BULBS
As long as you see that your bulb have good drain and sunlight , you may plant them just about anywhere . drain is vital to keep bulbs from molder . They like loamy or slightly arenaceous soil because it provides the drain and nutrient they need .
Early - spring bloomers can be planted under deciduous trees where they ’ll get enough sun to blossom before the tree ’s leaves block out the light . However , they ’ll only bloom well the first twelvemonth , as they ’ll need sunlight afterward in the season for the leaf to garner enough energy for next twelvemonth ’s flowers .
PLAN BEFORE YOU PLANT
Bulbs can be grown in many ways — conventional gardens , hayfield gardens , scattered in lawns , under Tree , or strategically embed throughout layer and borders . Many bulb will naturalize in an area and multiply , coming back yr after year , so be after cautiously and you could have years of delectation from one planting .
HOW TO PLANT BULBS
Bulbs can be planted in layer by digging up an entire country down to the proper profoundness , place the electric light and covering ; or in individual holes dig up for each light bulb . Individual planting is made easier with abedding plant auger(pictured ) .
Twist ' n plant life gardening auger . Photo by : Proven Winners .
LASAGNA PLANTING
Not only good for Sunday dinner , lasagna ( planting ) is great for bulbs . The musical theme is to establish bulbs with different size and stagger rosiness time in layer for a continual bloom . This works great in large containers that are deep and widely enough . Here ’s a sample programme , working from the bottom up in a container :
This planting method acting can be used in - ground as well for a hard arena planting . It can also be adjusted to few layers in small pots .
AFTER-CARE AND DIGGING UP BULBS
For all bulb , after bloom , write out only the flower stanch back . Leave foliation intact until it turn yellow and wilts to the priming ; the leaf are pull together and storing energy for next yr . If the foliage is switch off back too presently , bulbs may not do well — or at all — the following year .
leaping bulbs : In quick climates bulbs that need cool down can be comprehend up and stored until pre - scary time the following fall . For colder climates , they can stay in the ground . Many will multiply and return year after year .
Summer bulbs : In warm clime , bulb can be leave in the ground with a layer of mulch in winter to protect and insulate them . In colder climates , they ’ll need to be dug up and stored until the undermentioned springiness .
DIGGING UP BULBS
HELPFUL HINTS
BUYING BULBS
Here are a few tips to help you pluck the best medulla :
on-line source : Breck’sSpring Hill NurseryBrent & Becky ’s
