Our snowdrops are only ever moved as dormant bulbs. We find this to be extremely successful, enabling rapid establishment with no loss of vigour or flowering in the folowing season, and it’s much easier to plant dormant bulbs. Division while in growth inevitably damages the roots and although the plant usually survives, it is often set back by going dormant too soon without making up a full bulb for the following season. If planting snowdrops ‘in the green’ ensure that they are well watered while in growth to compensate for this root damage.
I read an article by the head gardener here and he never plants " in the green"
Galanthus have developed their bulbous form as a food storage organ so they can survive the lack of light from deciduous trees. This means that the bulb itself never dries out and has not developed a skin to protect it from desiccation. So, bulbs which are allowed to become over dried (as in hot G/C's) will have almost certainly died.
Originally it was thought that moving them when growing ie in the green was the best way to getr viable plants without the desiccation problem.
Modern thinking is that the best time to move them is when the bulbs are dormant, but to replant before the bulbs get dry.
I wonder if the bulb companies could find a packaging method to keep the dormant bulbs alive?
Tulips, narcissus etc, developed a bulbous form to avoid the heat of Summer. Their bulbs have a 'coat' to protect them. That is why you may buy their bulbs safely. In fact there are some bulbs which do better if allowed to completely dry out and bake in Summer.
I've been given snowdrops "in the green" and they have done really well. I transplant them in the green too as I can see where they are. When I bought them in bags in the Garden Centre (bear in mind that garden centres here in France aren't as good as English ones) they were dried out and I've never had any luck with them.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
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They thrive. Snowdrop bulbs often fail and by planting them in the green you know they are viable.
Thanks yvie
Growing snowdrops at Colesbourne
Our snowdrops are only ever moved as dormant bulbs. We find this to be extremely successful, enabling rapid establishment with no loss of vigour or flowering in the folowing season, and it’s much easier to plant dormant bulbs. Division while in growth inevitably damages the roots and although the plant usually survives, it is often set back by going dormant too soon without making up a full bulb for the following season. If planting snowdrops ‘in the green’ ensure that they are well watered while in growth to compensate for this root damage.
I read an article by the head gardener here and he never plants " in the green"
http://www.colesbournegardens.org.uk/the-garden/snowdrops.html
I've bought both in the past and the bulbs have come up just the same.
I might have just been lucky though
Galanthus have developed their bulbous form as a food storage organ so they can survive the lack of light from deciduous trees. This means that the bulb itself never dries out and has not developed a skin to protect it from desiccation. So, bulbs which are allowed to become over dried (as in hot G/C's) will have almost certainly died.
Originally it was thought that moving them when growing ie in the green was the best way to getr viable plants without the desiccation problem.
Modern thinking is that the best time to move them is when the bulbs are dormant, but to replant before the bulbs get dry.
I wonder if the bulb companies could find a packaging method to keep the dormant bulbs alive?
Tulips, narcissus etc, developed a bulbous form to avoid the heat of Summer. Their bulbs have a 'coat' to protect them. That is why you may buy their bulbs safely. In fact there are some bulbs which do better if allowed to completely dry out and bake in Summer.
I move mine after they have died down, but I dont let them dry out before replanting.
Thanks for explanation berghill. It makes sense to me now.
I saw an RHS gardener on TV who said he always waits until the green has died down before moving then as the roots can break.
I've been given snowdrops "in the green" and they have done really well. I transplant them in the green too as I can see where they are. When I bought them in bags in the Garden Centre (bear in mind that garden centres here in France aren't as good as English ones) they were dried out and I've never had any luck with them.