If you’re willing to put in the effort, you’ll get the reward in the form of a beautiful flower in the form of a bulb. Plants with tuberous roots, tubers, corms, and rhizomes all fall under the umbrella term “bulb,” and the information here can be applied to all of them. Everybody can cultivate lovely bulbs with just a small bit of basic knowledge.
The Different Types of Light Bulbs
Bulbs are divided into spring and summer varieties.
Flowers in the springtime:
These bulbs, sometimes known as hardy bulbs, are planted in the fall, remain in the ground over the winter, and bloom the following spring. Tulips, irises, daffodils, hyacinths, alliums, and crocus are among the most common spring bulbs. For these bulbs to fully bloom, they must be exposed to freezing weather for several weeks.
Summer flowers:
They are known as sensitive bulbs because they bloom in the spring and then produce leaves or flowers in the summer. Summer bulbs include gladiolus, lilies, caladiums, and elephant ears. Dahlias, which bloom into the fall, are one example of a summer flower that blooms later or for a longer period of time.
Planting summer bulbs should wait until the earth has warmed up and frost is no longer a concern because they are sensitive to chilly temperatures. Store them in a cool, dry place until planting time if you buy them before then.
WHEN TO PLANT BULBS
BULBS WHEN TO PLANT THEM
Zone Areas 4-7:
A good rule of thumb for planting bulbs for spring is to wait until the earth is at least 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night and there are at least six to eight weeks before freezing conditions arrive. This should be done as quickly as feasible after purchasing if the timing is suitable. While bulbs can be kept in the refrigerator until they are ready to be planted, this is not recommended. For additional information on how to keep bulbs fresh in the refrigerator, see the Helpful Hints below.)
The best time to sow summer-flowering bulbs is from mid to late spring.
Zoning Areas 8-10:
Depending on the bulb, spring-flowering bulbs in warmer locations will need to be kept in the refrigerator for six to ten weeks before planting.
Early to mid-spring is the best time to plant summer-flowering bulbs.
Spring bulbs can be planted at any time of the year:
- Zones 4 and 5 — September through October
- Zones 6 and 7 — October to early November
- Zones 8 and 9 — November through early December
- Early to mid-January, Zone 10
Summer bulb planting times are on the longer side
- Zones 8 to 10 — Late March to May
- Zones 4 to 7 — May to June
BULBS WHERE TO PLANT
You can put bulbs in just about any place as long as they have excellent drainage and sunlight. Bulbs decay if they are not properly drained. They prefer loamy or somewhat sandy soil for their drainage and nutrients.
Flowers that bloom in the early spring can be placed under deciduous trees when the light is blocked out by their leaves. In order for their leaves to store enough energy for next year’s blossoms, they will need sunshine later in the season, therefore they will only bloom well in their first year.
CONSIDER YOUR OPTIONS PRIOR TO PLANTING
For example, bulbs can be cultivated informal gardens, meadows, or under trees on the lawn. They can also be placed strategically in beds and borders. So plan properly and you’ll have many years to enjoy the results of a single planting if you choose the right bulbs.
- Plant in groups for a more dramatic effect.
- Plant a mix of early, mid, and late-season bloomers to extend your growing season.
- Plant taller bulbs in front of low-growing bulbs that are past their prime to hide the withering leaves.
- Planting kinds that bloom at the same time necessitates layering the heights of the plants from the front to the back.
- Container planting is an excellent choice for many bulbs since it allows you to bring them into view when they are flowering and then remove them when the foliage is fading or dormant. Potted plants should be spaced even closer together than the in-ground equivalent.
- If you’re looking for a burst of color, consider how it will seem in the context of its surroundings.
- When bulbs are dormant, companion plants keep the garden alive. These include sedum, coreopsis, thyme, cranesbill, daylilies, coral bells, Brunner, hellebores, or bleeding heart.
HOW TO PLANT BULBS
When planting bulbs, you can either dig a large area to the required depth, layer the bulbs, and then cover them; or you can dig separate holes for each bulb. Bed plant augers simplify the process of individual planting.
- Find out how deep you need to plant your bulbs. Flowers may not blossom at all if they are planted too deep. New growth may be exposed too quickly if planted too shallowly, putting it at risk for injury from cold temperatures. While there is no hard and fast rule, a decent general rule of thumb is to plant the bulb two to three times deeper than the bulb’s height.
- Loosen the soil and add organic matter, if necessary, to enrich the soil or enhance drainage. A special bulb fertilizer can be used; follow the instructions on the package.
- Bulbs should be placed with the pointed end up and the roots downward. The bulb will rise to the surface if you place it on its side if you are unsure of its top or bottom.
- Soil and a light layer of mulch should be piled on top.
- As soon as the bulbs are in the ground, they should be watered thoroughly.
- Bulb cages or wire mesh can be used to keep rodents away from the beds, or you can just stake down wire mesh or chicken wire over the beds.
LaSagna Seeds Planting
Lasagna (planting) is not only fantastic for Sunday dinner, but it’s also great for bulbs. The goal is to plant bulbs of varying sizes and blooming times in layers to ensure a continuous display of color. This is ideal for large containers that are both deep and wide enough to accommodate this method. Here’s an example of a container-based construction strategy:
- A thick layer of potting soil for a planting depth of approximately 8 inches.
- Daffodils or tulips, or other late-blooming spring bulbs
- Add a further 6 inches of potting soil to complete the planting depth.
- Increase the number of bulbs that bloom in the middle of spring, such as tulips and hyacinths.
- Another 4 inches of potting soil is needed for planting.
- Begin by planting early-blooming bulbs like crocus and galanthus.
- Another 2 inches of potting soil will be needed to complete the planting depth.
- Early-blooming bulbs like freesia or anemones can be added.
- Add more potting soil and a layer of mulch on top.
- Add some pansies or heuchera or dusty miller as a filler while you’re waiting for the bulbs to bloom.
This type of planting can also be utilized in the ground to cover a large area quickly. In smaller pots, it can also be reduced to fewer layers.
CARE AND DISCOVERING THE BULBS
After the flowers have faded on all bulbs, only the flower stalk should be removed. As soon as the leaves turn yellow and droop, they’re accumulating and storing energy for the upcoming season. If the foliage is cut back too early, the following year’s bulbs may not perform well or at all.
Storage of spring bulbs that need chilling is possible in warmer climates, where they can be dug and stored until pre-chilling time the following year. They can be planted in the ground in cooler climates. Many will reproduce and come back year after year after year.
In warmer climates, bulbs can be left in the ground with a covering of mulch in the winter to protect and insulate them from freezing temperatures. They’ll have to be dug out and stored in cooler climates until the following spring.
CUTTING BULBS FROM THE ROOTS
- A couple of inches above the soil level, remove any residual branches and leaves.
- Carefully remove the bulbs by loosening the dirt surrounding them.
- Remove as much soil from the bulb and roots as possible.
- To dry them, lay them out on newspaper, and put them in a cool, shaded area. Poisonous bulbs should be kept out of reach of pets and children.
- To preserve freshness, keep in an aerated bag of paper or mesh or a box with holes. The vermiculite or perlite can be kept moist by adding a small amount of water.
- Store in a cool, dark, and dry environment, such as a basement or garage, where the temperature is between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mold and decay in the bulbs should be checked on a monthly basis.
TIME-SAVING ADVICE
- The refrigerator should not be used to store fruit (particularly apples), vegetables, or pre-chilled bulbs at the same time. These bulbs give off an ethylene gas that can be lethal to the plant that is housed within.
- Bulbs in bloom look their best when the pH of the soil is between 6 and 7.
- To get the most out of your bulbs, plant them as soon as possible after purchasing them.
- If you’re going to leave bulbs in the ground while they’re dormant, mark their location with a marker so you’ll know where they are when the foliage is chopped back.
- Because bulbs need to be able to breathe, they should never be kept in plastic containers.
COST OF BULBS
- To make it easier for you to choose the best bulbs, here are some pointers:
- The bulbs should not be soft or spongy to the touch.
- Consider purchasing bulbs that show no symptoms of fungus, illness, or other damage.
- Bulb roots and sprouts should be absent at the time of purchase. Lilies, on the other hand, often have meaty roots attached.
- When it comes to bulbs, the old adage “you get what you pay for” rings true. When it comes to flowering, the best bulbs can make all the difference.
