Bulbs are almost a guaranteed flowering success. Each bulb holds the embryonic plant and flower buds within it. Plant the bulb in full sun, water consistently and you'll be rewarded with lots of blooms. After the blossoms have died, continue to water and feed the plant so it has the energy to produce the next season's flowers.
Easter Basket Cut bamboo fencing 8 inches high. Dig an oval trench 2 inches deep. The oval should measure 3 feet across and 2 feet deep. Dig the oval down to a depth of 12 inches. Add 3 inches of compost and fertilizer per package directions. Mix well. Plant spring bulbs that all bloom at the same time inside the bamboo "basket.". Good choices would be purple hyacinths at the back of the oval. Plant Pink tulips in front of the hyacinths, and yellow daffodils in front of the tulips. Finish with dwarf white tulips at the very front. This can all be done in fall before the ground freezes. In the spring, before the bulbs have sprouted, sprinkle white sweet alyssum seeds over the planting area. Cover with 1/4 inch of soil. Place a ceramic rabbit in one corner of the oval "Easter" basket. Twist grapevines or twigs into a handle. Bury each end of the handle inside the basket arching over it.
Patriotic Bed Japanese iris comes in a purple that is nearly blue and white, as well as yellow and light purple. Plant two rows of white irises in the back of the bed. In front of the white irises plant two rows of the nearly blue irises. Continue with the alternating rows of white and blue irises. Finish the bed with a border of red geraniums. Irises and geraniums both bloom in late May so this bed would be perfect for Memorial Day. Over seed the Irises with white zinnias and blue salvia and the bed will refresh itself and be ready with new flowers for Fourth of July.
Moon Garden White flowers glow in the moonlight. Plant a bed with bulbs that start blooming in spring and continue through the end of summer. Tulips, hyacinths, cyclamen and freesia bloom in spring and come in white. Summer bulbs include gladiolus, Asian lilies, oriental lilies, day lilies and Bella Donna lilies. Plant medium height white flowers to mask the yellowing leaves of bulbs that have finished blooming. Good choices would include gerbera daisies, Shasta daisies, petunias, chrysanthemums and pansies.
About the Author
Free report on Tips to Lose Weight Fast Dee Power is the author of several nonfiction books, screenplays and a novel. She loves to cook and has lots of gardening tips.
Affichage des articles dont le libellé est bulbs. Afficher tous les articles
Affichage des articles dont le libellé est bulbs. Afficher tous les articles
22/02/2010
Guide to Mulching Your Flower Bulbs by Britt Ramos
Flower bulbs need a good, long, winter's sleep. Like some people we know, if they wake up before they are fully rested they get kind of cranky, and then they don't bloom well at all.
Actually what happens is during a mild winter, the soil stays too warm and the bulbs begin to come out of dormancy early. They start to grow, and once the tips emerge above the soil line, they are subject to freezing if the temperatures dip back down below freezing. And that's usually what happens. After the bulbs have emerged, they freeze and then don't bloom at all, or if they do it's a very sad display.
Another reason this happens is because the bulbs are not planted deep enough. They may have been deep enough when you planted them, but as the soil goes through the freezing and thawing process, the bulbs can actually work their way up in the ground. One way to keep your flower bulbs sleeping longer, which will protect them from freezing, is to mulch the bed.
In the fall just apply a 3-4" layer of well composted mulch. This layer of mulch will do a couple of things. It will maintain a higher moisture content in the soil, which is good as long as the soil isn't too soggy. Well composted mulch also adds valuable organic matter to the planting bed. Organic matter makes a great natural fertilizer. A 3-4" layer of mulch also acts as an insulator. It will keep the soil from freezing for a while, which is good because you don't want the bulbs going through a series of short cycles of freezing and thawing. Then when the temperatures drop below freezing and stay there for a while, the soil does eventually freeze. Then the mulch actually works in reverse and keeps the soil from thawing out too early. Keeping it in a frozen state is actually good because the bulbs remain dormant for a longer period of time. When they finally do wake up it is spring time, and hopefully by the time they emerge from the ground the danger of a hard freeze is past and they will not be damaged. If you can keep them from freezing, they will flower beautifully. The extra organic matter will help to nourish the bulbs when they are done blooming, and the cycle starts all over again. We also plant annual flowers in the same beds with our spring bulbs. By the time the danger of frost is past and it's time to plant the annuals, the top of the bulbs have died back and are ready to be removed. The mulch that is added in the fall also helps to nourish the annual flowers, as well as improve the soil permanently. Any time you add well composted organic matter to your planting beds, you are bound to realize multiple benefits. The key words here are "well composted". Fresh material is not good.
About the Author
Find tips about indoor bamboo and growing bamboo indoors at the Bamboo Flower website.
Actually what happens is during a mild winter, the soil stays too warm and the bulbs begin to come out of dormancy early. They start to grow, and once the tips emerge above the soil line, they are subject to freezing if the temperatures dip back down below freezing. And that's usually what happens. After the bulbs have emerged, they freeze and then don't bloom at all, or if they do it's a very sad display.
Another reason this happens is because the bulbs are not planted deep enough. They may have been deep enough when you planted them, but as the soil goes through the freezing and thawing process, the bulbs can actually work their way up in the ground. One way to keep your flower bulbs sleeping longer, which will protect them from freezing, is to mulch the bed.
In the fall just apply a 3-4" layer of well composted mulch. This layer of mulch will do a couple of things. It will maintain a higher moisture content in the soil, which is good as long as the soil isn't too soggy. Well composted mulch also adds valuable organic matter to the planting bed. Organic matter makes a great natural fertilizer. A 3-4" layer of mulch also acts as an insulator. It will keep the soil from freezing for a while, which is good because you don't want the bulbs going through a series of short cycles of freezing and thawing. Then when the temperatures drop below freezing and stay there for a while, the soil does eventually freeze. Then the mulch actually works in reverse and keeps the soil from thawing out too early. Keeping it in a frozen state is actually good because the bulbs remain dormant for a longer period of time. When they finally do wake up it is spring time, and hopefully by the time they emerge from the ground the danger of a hard freeze is past and they will not be damaged. If you can keep them from freezing, they will flower beautifully. The extra organic matter will help to nourish the bulbs when they are done blooming, and the cycle starts all over again. We also plant annual flowers in the same beds with our spring bulbs. By the time the danger of frost is past and it's time to plant the annuals, the top of the bulbs have died back and are ready to be removed. The mulch that is added in the fall also helps to nourish the annual flowers, as well as improve the soil permanently. Any time you add well composted organic matter to your planting beds, you are bound to realize multiple benefits. The key words here are "well composted". Fresh material is not good.
About the Author
Find tips about indoor bamboo and growing bamboo indoors at the Bamboo Flower website.
02/02/2010
How to Force Spring Flower Bulbs by Dee Power
Waiting for spring during the cold winter months doesn't have to mean staring at a bleak winter landscape wishing for warmer weather. Get a head start on spring with forced flower bulbs. Many varieties do well in pots when given the proper environment. A little planning ahead and the right types of bulbs is about all it takes.
Bulbs Lots of bulbs can be forced or tricked into blooming out of season. Most of them naturally flower in the spring time with a few exceptions. Easter or trumpet lilies are forced for very early spring blooming when they naturally bloom in mid summer. Amaryllis is forced for blooming during the winter holidays but naturally bloom in early summer.
Spring blooming bulbs include tulips, hyacinths, crocus, daffodils, tulips, and grape hyacinths.
Get the bulbs ready to grow Most spring bulbs require a period of cold to induce the flowering process. However, cold doesn't mean freezing. If the bulbs freeze they'll die. Keep the bulbs in a dark cool (below 40 degrees) place such as a garage, in the vegetable crisper of the fridge or planted in pots that are kept outside in a protected area. When the chilling period is within a week or two of the appropriate time check the tops of the bulbs for any new shoots. They'll appear as tiny very light green bumps. If you see them it's time to plant.
Tulips and hyacinths require the longest chilling period, 16 weeks. Crocuses require from 12 to 14 weeks. Daffodils from 10 to 12 weeks. Narcissus, a relative of daffodils don't require any chilling. Chilling times are approximate.
Planting Select a pot with drainage. Fill with three inches of soil. Place the bulb in the pot flat side down and pointed end up. If you have spotted the light green bumps, plant that end up. Cover the bulbs with soil and water thoroughly. Let drain. Do not over water or the bulbs will rot. Let them almost dry out completely between waterings. Keep in a cold dark area until the shoots are above the soil. Move to a warmer sunnier area.
Forced in water Bulbs will grow forced in water without soil. After the chilling period fill a clear glass or glass container with several inches of marbles. Place the bulb on top and add marbles up to the neck of the bulb. Fill the glass with water up to just over the bottom of the bulb. Place in a well lighted window. Keep the water level steady. Don't immerse the bulb in water. If the water gets cloudy change it completely.
About the Author
Find more gardening tips Dee Power is the author of several nonfiction books. She loves cooking and gardening and coming up with party ideas for kidsand Valentine Gift Ideas
Bulbs Lots of bulbs can be forced or tricked into blooming out of season. Most of them naturally flower in the spring time with a few exceptions. Easter or trumpet lilies are forced for very early spring blooming when they naturally bloom in mid summer. Amaryllis is forced for blooming during the winter holidays but naturally bloom in early summer.
Spring blooming bulbs include tulips, hyacinths, crocus, daffodils, tulips, and grape hyacinths.
Get the bulbs ready to grow Most spring bulbs require a period of cold to induce the flowering process. However, cold doesn't mean freezing. If the bulbs freeze they'll die. Keep the bulbs in a dark cool (below 40 degrees) place such as a garage, in the vegetable crisper of the fridge or planted in pots that are kept outside in a protected area. When the chilling period is within a week or two of the appropriate time check the tops of the bulbs for any new shoots. They'll appear as tiny very light green bumps. If you see them it's time to plant.
Tulips and hyacinths require the longest chilling period, 16 weeks. Crocuses require from 12 to 14 weeks. Daffodils from 10 to 12 weeks. Narcissus, a relative of daffodils don't require any chilling. Chilling times are approximate.
Planting Select a pot with drainage. Fill with three inches of soil. Place the bulb in the pot flat side down and pointed end up. If you have spotted the light green bumps, plant that end up. Cover the bulbs with soil and water thoroughly. Let drain. Do not over water or the bulbs will rot. Let them almost dry out completely between waterings. Keep in a cold dark area until the shoots are above the soil. Move to a warmer sunnier area.
Forced in water Bulbs will grow forced in water without soil. After the chilling period fill a clear glass or glass container with several inches of marbles. Place the bulb on top and add marbles up to the neck of the bulb. Fill the glass with water up to just over the bottom of the bulb. Place in a well lighted window. Keep the water level steady. Don't immerse the bulb in water. If the water gets cloudy change it completely.
About the Author
Find more gardening tips Dee Power is the author of several nonfiction books. She loves cooking and gardening and coming up with party ideas for kidsand Valentine Gift Ideas
Inscription à :
Articles (Atom)