Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Fritillaria Crown Imperialis

Janie BJanie B Posts: 963
in Plants
Hi there, quick question for anyone who has these ... I planted some bulbs last autumn in a new bed, and while other bulbs (crocus, daffodils, narcissus, tulips etc) are romping away, I can't see anything of the FCIs. Should they be up by now? 
Lincolnshire
«1

Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I noticed mine just emerging through the soil a couple of days ago. My tulips only have the first leaves emerging and some daffodils are in flower, others just emerging. It depends on soil, climate, situation and aspect. I’d just wait a bit, if your soil is well draining they should be fine.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    When I grew them I noticed that one day they ‘weren’t there’ …, a few days later they were just nosing through the soil, and a few days after that they were a couple of feet tall and bursting into flower … 

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





  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 963
    Thanks, both. Soil is quite clayey, so fingers crossed...

    Lincolnshire
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Hope all goes well as we have never had success so stopped trying.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited 28 February
    Hurrah!  Stand well back … they’ll put on a growth spurt before too long … and keep showing us pics. Pleeease … I don’t have any in this garden … yet. 😊 

    Also watch out for snails and slugs … I found that covering the area around them with a decent layer of sharp grit helped deter the beggars 🤞 

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





  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    @bertrand-mabel it helps to plant these bulbs on their sides.  They have a hollow in the top and if that gets wet and holds water the whole bulb will just rot, even in well-drained soil.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    I would like to get around to growing these as apparently blue tits pollinate or like them.
    Sorry too busy to check properly but remember reading or seeing it on the internet.

    I would love to capture an image of blue tits hanging upside down in/off the flowers :)
    As the flowers compared to them is quite large.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    @Obelixx Thank you for the info. Never had that before so maybe we should try again.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    The bulbs can be expensive @bertrand-mabel so worth the extra wee effort to grow them well.  Let us know how you get on.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
Sign In or Register to comment.