2009 Year in Review

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Caring for Spring Bulbs

Once spring-flowering bulbs have finished blooming, proper handling and care will help them to come back to welcome spring 2010, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

"Chances are, if your bulbs grew and flowered well this spring, they are in a spot that suits them well," said Greg Stack. "If they didn't come back or grow the way you expected, there could be several reasons they didn't.

"If the soil was too wet or poorly drained, they may have rotted. Bulbs like and almost demand well-drained soils. Another reason is that maybe something decided they would make a great snack. Many bulbs fall prey to squirrels, mice and other mammals foraging for food. Another common problem is with bulbs that are planted in an area that will also be home to summer-flowering annuals."

After bulbs finish blooming and go dormant, they really prefer spending their dormant season, which is during the summer, in dry soil, he added. If they are planted in beds that get replanted to annuals that are being kept watered in order for them to perform well, the soils never really dry out as the bulb would like. This often results in poor performance the following season.

"If you have a choice, consider planting bulbs in beds that won't receive much watering during the summer so the bulbs stay dry and can have a nice dry 'sleep,'" he said.

Spring-flowering bulbs benefit from fertilizing at two times during their growing cycle, once when they are planted and once shortly after they have bloomed.

At planting time, mix fertilizer into the soil prior to planting. After they have finished blooming apply about a handful of 5-10-5 or 5-10-10 or similar fertilizer for every 10-12 bulbs. Work it in lightly and water. This addition of fertilizer comes in handy especially when the foliage that remains is in the process of manufacturing food for next year's flower display.

Another key to maintaining healthy bulbs is to let the foliage turn yellow and die back naturally.

"Leaves are food factories for bulbs," said Stack. "Cutting, tying or braiding foliage only manages to remove or cut down on the plant's ability to make food for next year's flowers. If foliage is an issue in the planting bed, research suggests that after about six to eight weeks after flowering, the foliage could be removed without harming the overall health of the bulb."

If you dig bulbs to make room for other plants or doing some redesigning, make sure you leave the leaves intact. "Digging and transplanting will often make them die back faster," he explained. "If you want to temporarily remove the bulbs, dig and place them in a temporary holding area. This is called "healing in" when you dig a trench, place the bulbs into it, cover them up and allow the foliage to die back. The bulbs can remain here until they get replanted in the fall."

If bulbs are flowering less each spring, it might indicate they are becoming crowded. If that is the case, dig the bulbs with leaves attached and shake the soil off. Bulbs should separate naturally and you can then replant them. Those that are still joined together after shaking should be planted as such. Don't forcibly tear them apart.

Some spring-flowering bulbs do very well for many years unattended while others seem to decline every year after the first or second season.

"Some tulips are like this," said Stack. "Many do well the first season after planting and then the flowers decline in number and quality after that. Once they reach several years old, a time when they produce the largest flowers, they tend to split after flowering into many smaller bulbs. The result is less flowering.

"Often tulips are treated as 'annuals' because of this trait. If you want to try and rescue these tulips you will need to nurse the small 'baby bulbs' for several years until they reach blooming size. Tulips like a long, cool spring to help generate lots of food for bulb growth. These small bulbs can be dug and stored over the summer for fall planting. When storing place them in a warm areas with lots of air circulation and keep them out of direct sun."

For those that would like tulips that come back each year almost better the than the year before, look for those that are labeled as "perennializing". Some that are great perennializers include Fosteriana tulips, Greigii tulips and Kaufmanniana tulips. If you give them good growing conditions, these just get better year after year.

"If you are looking for glorious spring color next year, what you do for your bulbs this year will pay big dividends," he said.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
May 13, 2009

 

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