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Advice - Spring Bulbs in Containers

RM98RM98 Posts: 43
in Plants
Evening all,

I’m brand new to gardening so the first thing I’ve done is plant some spring bulbs in containers - 4 in total, a couple of which are planted with different varieties of tulips, one with daffodils, and then a ‘bulb lasagne’ (tulips, daffodils, muscari/grape hyacinths).

To do this, I followed the instructions in Monty Don’s latest book and all 4 are stored outside but under a shelter in an area of the garden that doesn’t get any sunlight. 

My question is to do with watering them - on the page in the book about bulbs in pots, it says to water once a month if very dry (so I assume that with my pots being under a shelter, that’s the case) and move them to their final position once the first signs of flower buds appear. However, on the page in the book about bulb lasagnes, it says to water well then store it somewhere (which can be a dark, dry place - again like where in storing them) and move to the final position once the first shoots appear. It doesn’t say anything about watering though like on the other page.

I just wondered why each approach might be different even though it’s the same sort of thing? On the build lasagne pot, I do have the first shoots coming through but haven’t watered it since and not moved it to its final position - it’s still under the shelter.

I’m suffering a bit with ‘paralysis by analysis’ and probably over thinking what it feels should be a relatively simple thing but can somebody point me in the right direction please in terms of when to water the 4 pots and at what point to move them to their final position? Do I need to treat the 3 pots with single flower types in to the bulb lasagne pot?

Thank you!




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Posts

  • borgadrborgadr Posts: 718
    edited 9 January
    Honestly, the last few years I just left mine out in the elements all winter and so far no problems - daffodils, crocus, muscari, tulips. They don't really need to be out of the sun and rain. Tulips are supposedly more susceptible to wet but even those I leave out (but potted in a very gritty compost for good drainage).  Daffodils won't care about the wet.

    If you've left them under cover I'd definitely give them a good watering once shoots appear.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited 10 January
    I would agree. No need to put the pots under cover. A good gritty mix will help them drain. The standard garden  bulbs we usually grow (listed above) are hardy and tough, which is why they are popular in the UK. They will be now going into a growth spurt so will now need light and rain.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited 10 January
    I plant them up in moist soil and compost and put them on the terrace in the lee of a wall. I never water them after planting. They get plenty of rain! even against a wall. 

    I think MD says move them to their final position when the buds are showing because until then he will have had other planted containers in those spots. He keeps a rotation going in his containers. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • RM98RM98 Posts: 43
    Thank you everyone - this is brilliant and all makes sense  :)
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Hurrah!  That’s good to know 😉 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Please keep us posted.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I never plant tulips in with other bulbs, other than in raised beds where they get enough drainage, and other plants are helping to soak up excess moisture. They need different conditions from the others mentioned, and it's harder to give them that if they're with others which don't mind being consistently wet. 
    I keep them sheltered until around February, depending on the type, as it helps prevent them getting completely waterlogged, which they do here, even with a gritty mix to grow in.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • RM98RM98 Posts: 43
    Fairygirl said:
    I never plant tulips in with other bulbs, other than in raised beds where they get enough drainage, and other plants are helping to soak up excess moisture. They need different conditions from the others mentioned, and it's harder to give them that if they're with others which don't mind being consistently wet. 
    I keep them sheltered until around February, depending on the type, as it helps prevent them getting completely waterlogged, which they do here, even with a gritty mix to grow in.  :)
    Interesting, thanks for this. I have read varying opinions on the 'bulb lasagne' thing but I thought I'd give it a go just to get started.

    I did mix in plenty of grit and although I'm in the north, I am very east which means typically lower rainfall than the west of the country, so fingers crossed they'll be OK. That said, I do have another two containers that I planted just tulip bulbs into so either way, I'm hoping to see some tulips appearing come spring!
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    I keep about half the pots of bulbs in the greenhouse and the rest outside. It was definitely a  help last winter when wet conditions were followed by a period of very cold weather. The outside pots suffered and very few of the bulbs survived but the greenhouse contingent was fine.....and they hardly get any water at all until I see some growth. It's always a bit of a gamble as we none of us know what the weather will be like.
    I'm not a fan of lasagne planting after trying it one year. The gradually deteriorating leaves from the early bloomers tended to spoil the overall effect. I could have cut those back but I like to keep the bulbs for planting out in the garden and removing the leaves would have curtailed their ability to bulk up for the next year. If you aren't planning on reusing the bulbs then lasagne planting isn't a problem.
  • RM98RM98 Posts: 43
    Ceres said:
    I keep about half the pots of bulbs in the greenhouse and the rest outside. It was definitely a  help last winter when wet conditions were followed by a period of very cold weather. The outside pots suffered and very few of the bulbs survived but the greenhouse contingent was fine.....and they hardly get any water at all until I see some growth. It's always a bit of a gamble as we none of us know what the weather will be like.
    I'm not a fan of lasagne planting after trying it one year. The gradually deteriorating leaves from the early bloomers tended to spoil the overall effect. I could have cut those back but I like to keep the bulbs for planting out in the garden and removing the leaves would have curtailed their ability to bulk up for the next year. If you aren't planning on reusing the bulbs then lasagne planting isn't a problem.
    Thanks for this - I don't plan to reuse the bulbs so will do what you suggest and cut back the deteriorating leaves from the early bloomers.

    I've put the lasagne one outside now and gave it a good watering as the muscari shoots have started to appear. That said, it's just started raining here so will be getting more of a soaking than I imagined!

    The other 3 pots, 1 with daffodils in and the other 2 with tulips in, are still under cover - I think I'll give them a very light watering every few weeks then put them outside once the shoots start to appear. I don't mind a bit of trial and error, hopefully after a couple of seasons I'll get the hang of it!
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