The Wonderful World Of Bulbs
By Bob Chapman
Thousands of words have been written extolling the virtues of planting fall bulbs for spring bloom and with good reason. Bulbs are easy to care for and are the harbingers of spring. Crocuses are the first to bloom, followed by the bright yellow blooms of the King Alfred daffodil. The season ends with the splashy colors of the Darwin tulips.
Gardeners experienced in growing bulbs share a few hints that ensure success in planting, growing and enjoying the magnificent blooms produced by spring bulbs.
IS BIGGER BETTER?
Buying the biggest is not always the best for some bulbs. Generally speaking most will give you more blooms if the larger sizes are purchased.
-- For instance, the perennial favorite, the King Alfred daffodil, is available in three sizes. The single nose bulb (one growing point) may or may not produce a flower the first year it is planted, whereas the double nosed daffodil bulb will produce two bloom stalks. The granddaddy of them all, the triple nosed bulbs will produce three stems of blooms. Of course the triple nosed bulbs are older, larger, harder to find and the cost is higher, but more blooms are produced.
-- Ranunculus and freesias produce profusely if larger bulbs are purchased. The younger, smaller bulbs are not big enough to produce but a solitary bloom.
-- Tulip bulbs grown in Holland are big enough to bloom.
-- Prepackaged bulbs tend to be smaller than those sold in bulk.
FAIL SAFE BULBS
Experienced gardeners have learned that some bulbs are practically foolproof. They will last for years if planted correctly, dug up when the foliage yellows, treated with a fungicide to prevent rot and stored away, awaiting the fall when the cycle starts again. The "fail safe" bulbs include:
-- King Alfred daffodils
-- Paperwhite narcissus
-- Ranunculus
-- Crocus
-- Freesias
-- Scillas
-- Anemones
-- Dutch iris.
BULB GROUNDCOVERS
Gardeners often use the "two for" technique to get more bang for the buck. After planting their bulbs they put a colorful groundcover of winter-blooming annuals over them. Some groundcovers are blooming when planted, some will bloom soon and most bloom all winter, adding a bright splash of color. When the bulbs poke through and bloom it adds a new dimension to the yard. Imagine the beauty of a bed of blue violas with masses of King Alfred daffodils nodding their yellow blooms overhead. Or picture a bed of scarlet ranunculus and white alyssum. Stunning is the word.. A little planning and imagination can turn a yard into a color spectacular all winter long. Excellent groundcovers for bulb beds are:
-- Pansies
-- Violas
-- Candytuft
-- Forget-me-not
-- White Alyssum
-- Wallflowers
-- Coral bells
-- Fairy primrose
CHILLING BULBS
Buy your tulips and hyacinth bulbs in September and store them in paper bags (not plastic bags) in the crisper section of the refrigerator, and plant them in November. They need six weeks of near freezing cold to grow and produce blooms. These bulbs are best treated as annuals. Tulips are good for one season's bloom, then the mother bulb deteriorates, and the daughter bulbs remain. These daughter bulbs are not large or old enough to produce significant bloom the next season. Hyacinths need cold, frozen ground in the winter. Our mild winters do not suit them.
USE CORRECT PLANTING DEPTHS
Planting bulbs at the proper depth is important. Some bulb stems need to have the support that the soil provides to remain erect during the blooming period. Some bulbs need the cool soil found at the lower depths. Others, like ranunculus, will not grow at all if planted too deep.
FEEDING BULBS
Bulb need feeding just like all other plants. The best way is to put a slow release fertilizer in the bottom of the hole or bed before planting the bulbs. The fertilizer applied now gives the bulbs enough nourishment to produce sturdy blooms and to store food in the bulb for next season's growth. For best results use slow-release fertilzers that give six months of continuous feeding.