Hi @Astro- have you got them in plastic pots, or something fancier? You could put them into a border - which I see you were intending anyway- and the roots will just go down into that. I'm not sure how feasible that is for you though. Or - just repot them into bigger pots.
Alternatively, you could sit them in another pot which has some compost or grit in it, to allow the roots to grow into . If it's not attractive, you could maybe place some other pots in front to hide them? That would be more useful if you have them in fancier pots to start with.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
They are in plastic pots @Fairygirl , I will likely put as many into the borders and planters as I can fit. I was wanting to have a clearer picture of what was growing where in spring as there are other bulbs buried, but it'll be fine. I'd half hoped they may have air-pruned themselves 😁
I'd half hoped they may have air-pruned themselves 😁
I know! I don't think it would be a good idea to actively do it though, although perhaps someone else can offer some insight into that. Not something I've ever thought of, probably because it's never happened. They probably just needed another inch of soil below them, so it's frustrating. I'm tempted to go and look at my new ones now - they've been in for a while, as we can plant earlier here.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks @Fairygirl, I'd be curious to know if your bulbs are showing roots. I'm half wondering if mine have compacted down and that's why roots are showing through. Anyway I managed to bury 3/4 of the bulbs this evening so hopefully I can forget about them for now.
@Fairygirl, Noticed your comment on species tulips above so hope you don't mind if I butt in @Astro. I've just got some Tulip clusiana var, chrysantha for the first time and was thinking of planting them on a south facing slope under some deciduous trees on the verge outside our garden - there's enough room for them to spread there if they were happy. Any advice or comments please? Are squirrels likely to dig these up?
I don't think they touched any of mine @Lizzie27, although I may have lost some due to having building work done on a wall next to where they're planted. I lifted some before they started, but they weren't all the same types - there were some other bits and pieces in among the chrysanthas. I think if they're planted deep enough, they might leave them. Mine are all in a south facing bed, and they get a fair bit of sun there, even though it's earlyish spring when they flower. They seem straightforward enough. I 've had them flowering a few years now - they went in autumn 2016.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
That's good news @Fairygirl - thanks. I gather they spread easily by underground stolons unlike most tulip bulbs. The only possible problem is whether the council grass cutters will strim them off in the spring! I've also got some Crocus 'Tommies' so might plant both -hopefully the neighbours and dog walkers will appreciate them.
Does the ground not belong to you @Lizzie27? I'd be a bit wary of planting anything if that's the case, especially when they'll get the chop from council workers. Perhaps better to plant the tulips inside your garden? I just had a look at my recently planted tulips @Astro, and there's no sign of any roots. They're in clematis pots - so quite deep. I did lift another pot [same kind] which has a couple of Q. of Night in for planting in the border. They've been in the pot a couple of years [embarrassed face smiley] and they've now been root pruned as they were frozen onto the soil in the border where they're sitting
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The was kind of the frost to prune your roots @Fairygirl 😁. I half wonder if the roots would find a way of growing in the pot too, somewhat realising that it isn't beneficial to leave the holes. I've read about air pruning past and it helping create a better root system, whether this applies to all plants I'm not sure.
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You could put them into a border - which I see you were intending anyway- and the roots will just go down into that. I'm not sure how feasible that is for you though.
Or - just repot them into bigger pots.
Alternatively, you could sit them in another pot which has some compost or grit in it, to allow the roots to grow into . If it's not attractive, you could maybe place some other pots in front to hide them? That would be more useful if you have them in fancier pots to start with.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
They probably just needed another inch of soil below them, so it's frustrating.
I'm tempted to go and look at my new ones now - they've been in for a while, as we can plant earlier here.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Anyway I managed to bury 3/4 of the bulbs this evening so hopefully I can forget about them for now.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I think if they're planted deep enough, they might leave them.
Mine are all in a south facing bed, and they get a fair bit of sun there, even though it's earlyish spring when they flower. They seem straightforward enough. I 've had them flowering a few years now - they went in autumn 2016.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I just had a look at my recently planted tulips @Astro, and there's no sign of any roots. They're in clematis pots - so quite deep. I did lift another pot [same kind] which has a couple of Q. of Night in for planting in the border. They've been in the pot a couple of years [embarrassed face smiley] and they've now been root pruned as they were frozen onto the soil in the border where they're sitting
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...