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Bulbs in Pots

ommthreeommthree Posts: 314
in Talkback

Hello all,

I have some bulbs in pots (snowdrops, daffodils) which did reasonably well this spring, and am planning to add some siberian squalls for next season. Bulbs make me nervous because I can't see how they're doing for most of the year.

After a bit of surfing around I use the following approach: Very well drained potting mix, water and fertilise during the growing season (including autumn) and let them dry out a little (not completely) over the summer.

For much of the year, of course, there's not a lot to see. So my question is, can I put them in a cool cellar over the summer and autumn, or do they need light and/or temperature cycles for reasons of dormancy breaking etc?

Thanks for any information,

Owen.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Owen - I don't want any siberian 'squalls'  - it gets cold enough here! image

    Apologies for that bad joke image

    I'd just keep them somewhere outside - a quiet shady corner - till they're starting to grow and then you can put them where you want to see them. Bulbs don't really need any feeding as the bulb contains all the food already, but you can give them a liquid feed as they die back just to give them a boost for the following year. image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ommthreeommthree Posts: 314

    Thanks Fairygirl.

    I'm going to plead auto-correct on the squalls thing!

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,444

    See how the snowdrops go. Drying out is not generally recommended. That's why they're sold 'in the green'.

     



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Owen image

    We had big banks of snowdrops along our boundary at last house . They were happy because it was always damp from the pond run off, so nut's right, just watch those don't get dehydrated.

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114
    Snowdrops 'au naturelle' are fine, but if they are fully dehydrated to be sold as bulbs it is difficult to get them going again; that is why they are sold 'in the green' soon after flowering.



    Bulbs do need feeding to build up for the next year. A bulb is simply a storage vessel. The best time to feed is when they are in full growth. From when they first emerge until they flower. As soon as they start to die back it is too late.
  • ommthreeommthree Posts: 314

    Thanks all.

    Yes, I don't let them dry out completely, but I water less in the summer months. Anyway, the snowdrop were not too bad this year, even though I planted them as dry bulbs. Let's see how much luck I get this time around!

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