Seeds & Bulbs Favorites
Can gladioli be started indoors to encourage earlier flowering?
Gladioli can be given a head start by planting them in April in pots. It is a good idea to dust bulbs with insecticide/fungicide dust before planting.
What causes white streaks and distorted blossoms on gladioli?
A small insect called thrips can cause damage to both the corm and the plant. Dust corms prior to storing and planting and spray for exposed thrips on the plant itself as soon as insects or damage appear.
How can one prevent squirrels from digging up bulbs?
There are no absolute remedies to this problem but by planting bulbs at their maximum depths or sprinkling blood meal onto the soil surface damage may be reduced. Squirrels do not eat daffodils so planting some with other bulbs may also help. Some have had success with putting out a feeder for the squirrels. The animals feed on sunflower seeds and do not bother to look for the harder to find bulbs.
Can tulips and other spring flowering bulbs be planted in outdoor pots in the fall for bloom the next year?
Our climate is very harsh, with extremely cold temperatures and large fluctuations when our chinooks come and go. Generally speaking, bulbs in pots tend to either freeze or rot as a result of these conditions and do not survive the winter. Container gardening with tulips can be attempted if you protect the bulbs from the weather. Containers should be a minimum 14 inches across. If possible store in a garage or other unheated protected area. If containers are too heavy to move wrap them with burlap and cover with snow in the winter.
When should I start my begonias?
Ideally, begonia tubers should be started indoors in March 6-8 weeks before you plan on setting them out. Plant tuber concave side up just below the surface of the soil (ideally sterile mix). Place in a well-lit spot that cools overnight to about 15 degrees C.
When should the flower stem and leaves be cut down after a bulb has flowered?
The flower stem can be cut as soon the flowers are finished. The leaves should be allowed to die back before being cut. By planting bulbs around perennials the yellowing bulb foliage will be hidden.
Which are the hardiest lilies for our area?
Tiger and Asiatic lilies are the hardiest. Trumpet and Oriental can do well here with a good layer of mulch applied after the ground has frozen.
Which bulbs produce fragrant flowers?
Oriental and Trumpet lilies are very fragrant. Tuberose, acidanthera, hyacinth, some narcissus, tulips and iris are also fragrant.
Are tulips perennial?
Species tulip are quite good at coming back year after year. Other tulips often act as short lived perennials and do best when planted 6 to 8 inches deep in rich, well drained soil, and fed in the spring and fall. Allow the leaves to die back completely before removing them since they feed the bulb.
Can bulbs which have been forced be saved and forced again?
Amaryllis can be kept to replant for next year. Hyacinth, tulip, daffodil, crocus, and paper whites should be discarded after flowering. In some cases hyacinths can be planted in the garden in the spring, however, it will take at least two years for them to reflower.
Why can’t I plant tulips in the Spring?
Spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils must be planted in the fall or early winter to bloom in spring because they require a long period of cool temperatures. The exposure to low temperatures allows the bulb to flower. Not only do they need to be planted in fall but they need to be planted before the ground freezes to develop roots.
I forgot to plant my spring-flowering bulbs last fall and I just found them in the garage. Should I wait until next fall to plant
No. If the bulbs are still firm plant them as soon as you are able to in the spring. If you leave them too long they will dry out. These bulbs still may survive and could even flower this season if you are lucky. However, if you leave them in the bag you may as well just throw them out.
Help! It’s the middle of March and my crocuses have started to sprout but cold weather is forecast for next week. Will this kill my bulbs?
Not usually. Spring-flowering bulbs are very tough. A short spell of freezing weather will do little if any damage to the leaves though it may burn the flowers. Warm snaps during Chinooks can encourage growth but this should not damage your bulbs either.
What are species tulips?
These are varieties that have not been hybridized or bred. They are basically as they can be found in nature. As a result species tulips naturalize much more readily than heavily hybridized bulbs. Though they are usually smaller they are colorful and unique. Examples of species tulips are Tarda, Kaufmaniana, and Saxatilis
Which fertilizer is best for my bulbs?
When planting spring-flowering bulbs you can use either a sprinkle of bone meal or commercial fertilizer in the bottom of the hole to get the roots started. After this, fertilize with bulb fertilizer in the fall and once again when the shoots appear in the spring.
Do tulips prefer a sunny or a shady spot in the yard?
Tulips prefer sun but can do alright in the shade. When planning your garden late in the season remember that early spring gardens are much brighter as the leaves have yet to come in on the trees.
What is a good bulb for shady areas?
Most bulbs like a decent amount of sunlight but there are a few that can adapt to partial shade. These are glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa), Siberian squill (Puschkina), checkered lily (Fritillaria melagris), and some hyacinth. Planting bulbs in shady areas greatly reduces the chances of naturalizing and the amount of blooms.
Will my daffodils multiply like my tulips?
In optimum conditions daffodils will naturalize. They will split and form new bulbs and thus new flowers. In less-than top conditions (ie. Calgary) the bulbs will split into smaller bulbs and thus smaller flowers and in poor conditions only the original bulb will continue to flower.
Why is it recommended to plant bulbs in clusters?
Bulbs planted in groups of odd numbers tend to look more natural than those planted in rows. They will complement each other and appear to be more or at least have a greater impact than a single bulb. Large bulbs should be planted 3-6 inches apart and smaller 1-2 inches to allow for bulb growth.
My tulip has finished blooming and the leaves make my garden look ugly. Can I cut them down?
No. The leaves are vital in supplying the bulb with nutrients and energy through photosynthesis. If you remove the leaves you will quickly exhaust the bulb. Letting the leaves remain will increase your chances of having the bulbs naturalize. Plan to plant perennials or annuals in the area to disguise the fading leaves.
