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Help with Spring bulbs growing too soon please?

bjazz28bjazz28 Posts: 71
edited November 2023 in Problem solving

Hello again,

I tried my hand at planting next year’s bulbs in a layered system, with Tulips at the bottom and early flowering bulbs such as Iris and Crocus at the top. I did this in mid-October when I thought the temperature was falling quite rapidly. It was cold at the time at least.

I also followed the advice of some experienced growers who recommend covering the pots in some way to avoid the bulbs getting water logged in the rain.

But, a few days ago I noticed something pushing the cover up on one of the pots, and when I lifted the cover I found that nearly all the Spring flowering bulbs had sprouted quite vigorously, but oddly enough, in the second pot none of them have, and I did identical planting in both pots.

Does anyone have any idea why this might have happened, and also what I should perhaps do to rescue my planting here please?

Here are some pictures below, and thanks very much for reading.

Cliff  :)



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Posts

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    What were the bulbs i the pot where they have grown? Muscari for example show leaf growth over winter as do some of the Dutch iris. As long as they do not get waterloggged and then frozen they will come to no harm.
  • bjazz28bjazz28 Posts: 71

    Hi Palustris.

    You are exactly right. They are Crocus at the very top, then Iris, and Muscari just a bit below them. And nearer the base are the Tulips. I am encouraged by what you say, but still a little confused as to why only one pot has growth and the second shows no signs of sprouting at all. Is that just a very weird coincidence do you think?  

    Thanks

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Not unusual at all - either query. Plants of all types grow at different rates - even when they're the same specimen and initial size or state. Even an inch or so can make a difference, as well as the site of each pot and the climate/conditions. One could be more exposed to wind/rain etc  :)
    There's also the possibility that smaller bulbs can get taken by squirrels, so it's always worth using netting or chicken wire on pots. 
    You may find the tulips, and possibly the iris, won't do so well. Tulips need sharp drainage, while crocus and muscari like a fair bit of moisture, so you'll need to see how they do next spring. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    edited November 2023
    I wonder, are the pots an identical size /height too?
    As Fairygirl says they can vary and also as mentioned the position.

    A thicker or thinner side wall of pots could make a tiny difference too. 
    A thin one might take in a little heat from what sun we get (haha), and get warmer. Or a thicker one I guess could hold what little warmth we get, or make the temperature steady with less fluctuations.

    So what triggers particular bulbs to start growth might be made by a slightly different pot.

    Also it looks like your pots might be on a balcony?
    That or your greenhouse is pretty high :D
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I suspect that's the muscari growing. They often appear in the autumn. They'll pause when it gets colder and flower at the right time.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    My muscari starting sprouting madly in July
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited November 2023
    I do wonder if it is wise to suggest to gardeners to plant bulb lasagne's. Somehow they never seem to work very well with flowers that have gone over mixed with those just imerging. I am sure a TV gardener was suggesting the idea only the other day. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    These days I just do lasagnas with layers the same variety, in order to get a good density of bloom
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I do the same @Fire . I've never been able to get layers of different kinds of bulbs in the same pot to look good all the way through all their flowering seasons.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
    My muscari started growing around August time, very inconvenient actually! 😂 They made my display messy.
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