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

Hardening bulbs

Jason CartwrightJason Cartwright Posts: 9
in Plants

Hi,

I bought some Oriental Tree lily bulbs the other day and was told that i need to harden them off in cold water before planting them.

Is this right and how long should they soak for?

 

Thanks

Posts

  • Jason CartwrightJason Cartwright Posts: 9

    Anyone?

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,441

    Hardening off is what you do to plants that have been in a warm place before you plant them out.  You put them outside for a few hours a day to start, then a few more, til they're out all night as well. They are them hardened off.

     



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • ImpHostaImpHosta Posts: 56

    Do you mean soak in water before planting or harden off in cold frame once planted in a pot? 

    I have never heard of soaking lily bulbs before planting (but there are no doubt lots of things horticulturally I have never heard of!) so perhaps hardening off in a cold frame was the suggestion made to you?

    Hopefully someone else that has had success growing them will offer you some more qualified advice!

     

  • Jason CartwrightJason Cartwright Posts: 9

    I was told the bulb felt soft when slightly squeezed. The lady suggested soaking them in cold water to harden them before planting.

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    Bulbs can't absorb water until they have grown roots so the best thing to do is plant it as soon as possible.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
Sign In or Register to comment.