Bulb Tips

Questions and answers about how to plant bulbs in your garden.

Iris 'Savannah Sunset'
Item # 61020 		Iris 'Savannah Sunset'
Tall Bearded Iris

each $12.99
3 to 6 plants $12.79
7 or more $12.59
Iris 'Autumn Circus'
Item # 61023 		Iris 'Autumn Circus'
Tall Bearded Iris

each $12.99
3 to 6 plants $12.79
7 or more $12.59
Bulb Auger
Item # 99799 		Bulb Auger

Each $14.95
Iris 'Enchanted One'
Item # 61021 		Iris 'Enchanted One'
Tall Bearded Iris

each $12.99
3 to 6 plants $12.79
7 or more $12.59
Bahco Bulb Planter
Item # 99814 		Bahco Bulb Planter

each $12.95
  • Topic: Bulbs
  • Keywords: bulbs, Bulbs
  • Date: January 2003

© All articles are copyrighted by High Country Gardens. Republication is prohibited without Permission.

[This article first appeared in “Practical Gardener” and is reprinted with permission. Visit their site at www.thepracticalgardener.com.]

While much of the winter months involve rest and recuperation (for us, at least), our bulbs are busy preparing for spring. In this brief question and answer format, we hope to address some of your concerns regarding bulbs.

Q. If bulbs in the garden sprout during a midwinter thaw, will the next cold snap damage the flowers?

A. Probably not. Healthy, spring-flowering bulbs that have sprouted prematurely are pre-programmed by nature to shrug off the return of extreme cold and even snow. In a hard frost, the buds may be blighted or the tips of the leaves may get frost-burn, but in almost every case, they will flower. Smaller bulbs (such as snowdrops, crocuses, Eranthis, winter aconite, and mini-narcissi) are actually meant to bloom early, often peeking through the snow.

Q. How many weeks of cold treatment do home-forced potted bulbs need to fool them into thinking winter’s over?

A. Most potted forced bulbs need 12 to 16 weeks at temperatures of 38-48 degrees F (by comparison, the recommended temperature for a refrigerator is between 34-40 degrees F). When ready, potted bulbs should be brought into the warmth to begin the blooming process, which takes a few more weeks on average. For more information, including a forcing timetable by type of bulb, visit the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center’s Web site, www.bulb.com.

Q. I found some of my stored bulbs going soft. What should I do with them?

A. Throw ‘em away and do not compost them.

Q. When is the time to start summer bulbs indoors?

A. To get a jump on the summer bloom season, many gardeners “start up” frost-sensitive tender summer bulbs such as dahlias, tuberous begonias, cannas, elephant ears, caladiums and others indoors. If possible, pot up bulbs four to six weeks before the last hard frost can be expected in your area to give them a head start inside.

Whether you’ve just purchased the bulbs or have carefully dug and saved them from last summer’s garden, getting an early start is easy. First, check to see if the bulbs show any signs of mold or mildew. Choose clean containers with a drainage hole. Good drainage is essential.

Use a commercial potting soil mixed with equal parts peat moss and a drainage material like sand or perlite. Keep in a warm place and keep soil moist, but not wet. Sun isn’t essential until the plants have sprouted. Plant outside only when the threat of frost has passed.

Q. If bulbs were not planted in fall, can they be planted in spring?

A. The answer is no. Unlike seeds, which can literally last for centuries, bulbs are actual living plants which have a long, but not indefinite window of dormancy. By March or April, spring bulbs that have not been planted are generally no longer viable and must be discarded.

The good news is that you are not totally out of luck for springtime color. In the past few years, more garden centers, florists and even a few catalogs have begun selling already-sprouted tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other flower bulbs in pots or flats in the spring for planting as bedding plants.

Often called “bulblettes,” these pre-sprouted potted bulbs can be grown indoors as houseplants or planted outdoors during the season when they normally would flower in your area.

When buying forced bulbs for outdoor planting, leave them in a cool, but protected area (such as an unheated garage) for a day or two to acclimate to cold outdoor weather. Then plant them outside as you would any bedding plant. It’s a bit pricier to plant outdoor bulbs this way, but the results are just as outstanding.

Most of these answers come from the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center. Reach them at www.bulb.com.