Bulbs keep their promises
A bulb comes ready-equipped with the promise
of a flower. In its previous growing season the
bulb did all the work of flower formation, and the
embryo flower is now safely stored within the
bulb. It’s just waiting for the right moisture and
temperature triggers to start growing.
February’s the month when many spring bulbs
become available in the shops. Buying bulbs
early gives you the best selection, but it’s wise
not to plant until the soil’s cooler. Store bulbs in
a cool, dry place and, while you’re waiting to
plant, prepare a well-drained spot by digging in
some Dynamic Lifter pellets and good compost.
Choosing favourite bulbs:
Tulips
Buy tulips early but, remember, with tulips it’s
especially important not to plant them too
quickly. In warm climates you can wait until late
autumn or even early winter. And, for warmer
areas, choose varieties with care. Monet tulips,
for example, are hardy, tall-growing varieties
that come in a wide range of colours.
Otherwise, look for tulips that bloom early in the
season, when there’s less risk from unseasonal
hot spells. And, unless you have cold winters,
don’t expect your tulips to re-bloom next year.
Treat them as annuals.
Freesias
Freesias flourish in most parts of Australia and
their South African origins make them well
suited to our warm climate. Good drainage is
their number one requirement.
The most popular freesia variety is the
traditional creamy-white with the delicious
fragrance. These do so well that they can
become a roadside weed so remember to
remove the flower heads as soon as they’ve
finished.
If you’d like more colour in your freesia display,
then white, pink, mauve, blue or yellow-
flowered varieties are available, some with
double blooms (pictured).
Jonquils
Jonquils have fat, promising bulbs and tough
constitutions. These bulbs great survivors can
be left in the one spot to come up year after
year. Soleil D’Or jonquil, which blooms in
shades of yellow and gold, creates a daffodil
effect, but has the hardiness and reliability of a
jonquil. Paperwhites – which have, as you
would guess, pure white flowers – are early-
flowering. Erlicheer jonquil produces double
cream flowers with a strong fragrance.
In many areas freesias, jonquils, snowflakes
and bluebells can be left in the ground from one
year to the next, but good feeding’s the secret
to ongoing success. Water the growing bulb
regularly with soluble Thrive Flower & Fruit.
Continue feeding this way every one or two
weeks, even after flowering, until the leaves
have died down completely.
Comments (3)
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Shirley
Yates site member
09:55, 10 February 2010
I have a cottage garden with all sorts of plants including the odd vegetable here and there are flower bulbs affected by being watered on a regular basis through out the year?
Margaret
Yates site member
12:49, 10 February 2010
I have a cottage garden and am going to try more freesias this year. Have lost a good few over the last 4 years, probable neglect but I'me right into my garden as I now only work 3 days a week
wendy
Yates site member
15:18, 24 February 2010
Whens the best time to plant hyacinth bulbs
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