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what exactly should I add to old grow bag compost for bulb planting

selinasallyselinasally Posts: 166
in Problem solving
Hi
 I have some used compost from tomatoes and some from potatoes
I'd like to plant my tulips in there 
I'm planning on adding some new compost and some chicken manure pellets ( how much?) 
Is there anything else I should be adding or doing ?
Many thanks 

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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Just the bulbs, and making sure there's adequate drainage. All the nutrition the bulbs need is already there - in the bulb.  :)
    The time to feed is when the flowers/foliage are dying back next year. 

    I'm assuming the bulbs are healthy and a decent enough size to flower   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • selinasallyselinasally Posts: 166
    Well I just discovered all
    last years bulbs rotten in a bag in the shed - luckily I bought a few new ones 😂
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Oh what a shame @selinasally. That's why it always pays to just plant them - in pots if you've nowhere in the ground - because it's very easy for them to either rot or get dried out. 
    At least you've got plenty of back up!  :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • selinasallyselinasally Posts: 166
    @Fairygirl I am constantly learning .. luckily i planted  half into part of the lawn that I had ripped out … I’ll be busy with my new bulbs 🤦🏽‍♀️
  • Chris-P-BaconChris-P-Bacon Posts: 943
    I use alot of 'spent' compost in bulb pots. I'll add grit - often upwards of 40 -50% for tulips (although I've decided not to bother with them next year) and perhaps about 25% for Daffs.  Maybe throw in abit of garden compost too with a handful of FBB.
  • RoddersUKRoddersUK Posts: 537
    What 'bulb start' supposed to do, if all the energy is already in the bulb?
  • AngelicantAngelicant Posts: 130
    Can I ask? I have some mixed bags of tulips and daffs/narcissi that I thought I would plant in pots for the patio next spring. Not done pots of bulbs before so wondered if they are ok in the same pot or would they be better in separate ones?
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I think they'd be better in different pots if you can identify the different bulbs. Daffs/narcissi need to be potted asap but tulips need cold weather so can wait until late Nov/Dec.
    I've tried the lasagne method several times but wasn't impressed so don't bother now.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • selinasallyselinasally Posts: 166
    Yes my lasagne method was not really successful but I think I put too many in 
  • Jac19Jac19 Posts: 496
    edited October 2021
    I have some beautiful granite chippings I can add at the top.  Will these be in the way of bulbs trying to push up out of the soil?

    Thanks in advance.
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