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Bulbs
Fionabee2
Posts: 19
We have not always done terribly well with bulbs, have bought them from our local garden centre where you fill a bag for so much. There is a special offer with Good Housekeeping for Sarah Raven tulips this month, they are beautiful but they are expensive when compared with Crocus for example. What do you think?
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I buy most bulbs from online specialists or my local nursery. Much better value usually than places like Crocus. It also depends what you mean 'by not done terribly well'. Do you mean they haven't grown well? That can be the conditions you're putting them in. Can you give a little more info Fiona
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have had expensive bulbs, and cheap bulbs.
Lidl bulbs did really well this year. Gladioli at 15 for £1 unbeatable.
Taylors bulbs from the garden centre did well, and also cheap bulbs from Parkers.
I find that the bigger the better, they have to be firm, and no signs of mould. Then its up to you.
Was that the very wet year Fiona? Many may simply have rotted. 'Blind' bulbs - ie when they have foliage but don't produce flowers - is often because they're not planted deep enough, or it can be because they're congested and clumps need splitting up.
I garden on clay and we get a lot of rain so I always try to mix plenty of grit where I've got bulbs, just to try and avoid having them sitting in waterlogged ground, although lots of daffs will grow well in surprisingly wet conditions. Tulips need really good drainage though, and many people grow them as annuals - buying new stock each year - as they tend to be less vigorous as each year goes by. I grow them in pots mainly, as it's easier to give them better conditions.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
New bulbs should always flower the first year,so long as they are big enough. The flower is already there, it just needs to grow. Second year depends on how the bulb has been treated after flowering.
I bought cheap bulbs from Parkers year before last, they did well the year I planted them but they were far better last year. Parkers do say they are better in their second year, I am trying to decide whether to try one more year or put them in the garden.
I have placed more orders with Parkers, so maybe wont risk it in the tubs, each time you place an order you get free packets of bulbs.
I have also bought 2 bags of mixed daffs from Morrison, 3.00 per bag, I have had these before and are good.
I grow my tulips as annuals. In my experience many do poorly in second and subsequent years. Monty Don said grown this way you only have to plant 2 inches deep. They have enough in the bulb to give you one years show, so arguably you could go for cheaper varieties, as long as you like them. I grow mine in pots. Masses of them crammed in 2 layers e.g. purple and orange. Try it.
I dont agree with Monty there, not because of the growing, but because they can easily blow over, if they are deeper they have more of the growth underground and are more stable.
I agree tulips are not so good next year, but I do mess about taking the littles ones off and growing them on.
My bulbs in pots are well down, and side by side supporting each other. In preference I would not buy very tall varieties.
I'm the same Woody. Don't grow the very tall ones as the weather usually does for them. I also plant them deep and have them in quite sturdy pots so that they don't get blown over. If I grow them in plastic pots to put into gaps, they're supported by other shrubs so it's not such an issue.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...