Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs BDHS Horticulture 2014

Class Goals Learn best management practices Greater appreciation of the landscape Enjoyment

Bulbs are used in the landscape for…. Massing – grouping of color. Bulbs grow well in wooded areas In Rock Gardens With evergreen shrubs

What is a Spring Flowering Bulb? Bulbs that are winter hardy. Planted in the Fall and left in the ground over the winter. Bring color to the landscape before other flowers are planted.

What is a summer flowering bulb? Bulbs that are not winter hardy Must be dug and stored for winter Add beauty to the landscape Large or small flower size Used in groupings, cut flowers or specimens Some need to be staked

Bulbs True bulb Corms Tubers Tuberous roots Rhizomes Bulb is any plant that stores its complete life cycle in an underground storage structure. Types of Storage Structures True bulb Corms Tubers Tuberous roots Rhizomes

True Bulb Five Major Parts

True Bulbs Tunicate bulbs (paper-like sheath) Tulips Daffodils Hyacinths Alliums

True Bulbs Imbricate bulbs (no papery sheath) Lily

Corms A swollen stem base that is modified into a mass of storage tissue. Does not have visible storage rings when cut in half Gladiolus and crocus

Tubers Buds are scattered over the tuber surface from which shoots and roots develop. Caladiums, oxalis, anemones, potato

Tuberous Roots Nutrient reserves are stored in an actual root instead of an enlarged stem. Dahlia and tuberous begonia

Rhizomes Iris, lily-of-the-valley, cannas Grow horizontally under the soil surface.

Fleshy Roots Not bulbs Peonies and daylilies

Bulb Selection Size Larger bulbs produce larger blooms Smaller bulbs are good for naturalizing Firmness Select bulbs that are firm and free from soft or rotting spots; disease free

Bulbs bloom at 2 different times Once planted you need to give them time to grow roots and then start VEGETATIVE growth

Spring Flowering Sometimes bloom before snow is gone. Most common since they give the landscape some color before other flowers are planted. Crocus, Daffodils, Tulips, Hyacinth

Planting Time Summer Flowering Bulbs Hybrid lilies, dahlias, gladiolus, calla lilies, caladiums, cannas Plant in the spring after danger of frost is past.

Soil Preparation Soil drainage and aeration are essential Add compost, peat moss or some source of organic matter Work the organic matter into the top 12 to 18 inches of soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0

Fertilization Incorporate fertilizer when preparing the soil in the spring: - 3 lbs of a complete fertilizer (i.e. 5-10-5) per 100 sq. ft. (1.5 tsp. per sq. ft.) or 2 lbs of blood meal per 100 sq. ft (1 tsp. per sq. ft.) Repeat applications at half rates every four to six weeks through mid-August

Planting Bulbs Rules of thumb The pointed end goes up Planting depth is the distance from the bottom of the bulb to the soil surface Size of the bulb often dictates the depth; the larger the bulb the deeper the depth Remove air pockets around the bulb (proper watering – deep watering)

Summer Maintenance Foliage should not be removed until it turns yellow and dies back naturally Interplant the bulbs with annuals or perennials Mulch the bulbs to minimize temperature fluctuations and conserve moisture. Dig and divide crowded bulbs to increase flower size

Digging and Storing Dig when leaves turn yellow Use a spading fork to lift the bulbs from the ground Leave the soil on the bulbs or wash? Store in clumps on slightly moistened layer of peat moss or sawdust. Place in a cool, dry basement, cellar or garage Watch for decay and discard those bulbs

Digging Loosen soil with fork or spade several inches back and all around plant. Avoid breaking, cutting or damaging the fleshy skin. Disease enters through cuts and decreases storage.

Cleaning Gently remove excess soil Washing will remove soil Glads best left unwashed

Curing Allows excess moisture to be removed Warm, dry location out of direct sun 60 to 70 degrees ideal Remove old corms Few days to several weeks

Pest Management Rot can be a problem Check often and remove decaying bulbs Dust with fungicide if you wish

Storing Label bulbs 40 to 50 degrees 50 to 60 degrees Place in sack and label Write on the larger bulbs or stems 40 to 50 degrees Canna, dahlia, freesia, glads, 50 to 60 degrees Begonia, caladium, call lily, Peruvian lily, tuberose