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Deadline for planting bulbs for spring?

FlyDragonFlyDragon Posts: 834
How late is too late?  My Peter Nyssen bulbs have arrived but I might not get chance to plant them until the 1st November.  My gardener granny is quite distressed at this!  Is it really a problem?
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    No  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • FlyDragonFlyDragon Posts: 834
    Fairygirl said:
    No  :)
    Why thank you!!  

    What would be the latest you would plant?  I have a lovely selection of tulips and daffs, and can't remember if I threw any alliums in the basket but I might get some more anyway!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You can really continue planting bulbs for as long as they're viable. They may not perform so well if they're really late - ie in December, but as long as they're in the ground or a pot, and not getting completely dehydrated, they'll grow.
    They would certainly build up for the following year, especially if given a feed or two as the foliage dies back.
    Tulips are less reliable regarding re blooming well - most of them diminish over time, with a few exceptions.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • FlyDragonFlyDragon Posts: 834
    Fairygirl said:
    You can really continue planting bulbs for as long as they're viable. They may not perform so well if they're really late - ie in December, but as long as they're in the ground or a pot, and not getting completely dehydrated, they'll grow.
    They would certainly build up for the following year, especially if given a feed or two as the foliage dies back.
    Tulips are less reliable regarding re blooming well - most of them diminish over time, with a few exceptions.  :)
    Fab, thank you.  I've had single year tulips the last few years but this time as well as some 'fancy' ones I've ordered some that are supposed to be perennial and come back, so fingers crossed! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The species tulips are different, and will naturalise in the right conditions, and a few others like the Apeldoorns are more reliable [the big red or yellow ones]  but it's difficult to give most tulips the right conditions in the UK.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I would plant the daffodils first though. Tulips shouldn't be planted until November because of the risk of tulip fire disease.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I wouldn't worry, looking at the location. It'll be cold enough in Manchester, I would have thought. Certainly fine in pots if using commercial compost.  :)
    We can plant them early October here no problem. Ground's been in single figures for a long time here.  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
    edited October 2020
    Fairygirl said:
    I wouldn't worry, looking at the location. It'll be cold enough in Manchester. 
    Harsh! :o But fair :( 
    East Lancs
  • FlyDragonFlyDragon Posts: 834
    Biglad said:
    Fairygirl said:
    I wouldn't worry, looking at the location. It'll be cold enough in Manchester. 
    Harsh! :o But fair :( 
    Yep, can't argue with that! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Even colder here @Biglad, and actually- milder than normal for October  :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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