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Bulbs - plant or store?
in Plants
I have just (24 January) received a large number of hyacinth bulbs and half a dozen Nerines - Nerine bowdenii, Guernsey Lily the packet says. I understand that these are best planted in Autumn for flowering in Spring.
I plan to put them in tubs of bulb compost as my garden soil is basically a thin layer of compost over impenetrable clay, dig a few inches and you could make pots with what you find, so unsurprisingly bigger bulbs just rot away. Anyway, it's frozen pretty solid right now...
So my question is, is it better to keep the new bulbs in a cool dry place until the coming Autumn, or should I plant them in their tubs now? If stored, should they be in a sealed container, or allowed to breathe? Location, Surrey/Sussex border near Gatwick.
Thanks
Michael
I plan to put them in tubs of bulb compost as my garden soil is basically a thin layer of compost over impenetrable clay, dig a few inches and you could make pots with what you find, so unsurprisingly bigger bulbs just rot away. Anyway, it's frozen pretty solid right now...
So my question is, is it better to keep the new bulbs in a cool dry place until the coming Autumn, or should I plant them in their tubs now? If stored, should they be in a sealed container, or allowed to breathe? Location, Surrey/Sussex border near Gatwick.
Thanks
Michael
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I'm not sure how well Nerines will do though, they're a bit different in their requirements from other bulbs, mainly because they're exposed rather than being deeply planted. I don't grow those, but others do.
I'm very surprised that you're receiving those now though. A reputable supplier wouldn't be sending them now.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Hopefully @michael.hooker's bulbs are in good order for planting.
Hyacinths are late though. Are they in good condition Michael? You wouldn't usually get those now unless they were already potted up and starting into growth. You can often buy them like that in GCs etc.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Michael
The nerines look fine, so that's good. The hyacinths also look ok, although the middle one looks like it might have a little damage, but that might just be the pic. Squidgy is always a good description too
I'd get them potted up and you should get a showing, even if it's a bit later. I bought some a few years back, late on from the supermarket, at a reduced price, which were potted as I described. I kept them potted for the first year, and they're now out in the garden, and have been doing fine the last couple of years
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Michael
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Nerines are autumn flowering, although the leaves will be sprouting soon. So keep until spring and then plant in a sunny spot.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."