FOR THE JOY OF GARDENING www.nebelung.de 94 PROFESSIONAL FLOWER BULB PLANTING Important Tips for Proper Bulb Planting 1. Unpack the flower bulbs immediately after their arrival. If they are not planted immediately they must be stored in a cool, dry and dark location. Ensure adequate ventilation. Plants such as Anemone, Fritillaria, Lilium, Erythronium denscanis, Eranthis hyemalis must be protected from drying out. 2. Plant bulbs deep enough, at least two times the height of the bulb. Planting the bulbs too deep will delay growth, flowering and maturation in the first year. The underground parts, however, have more space to development and more protection by increased coverage. For very heavy clay soils, it is advisable to apply a top layer of soil with a lighter structure. 3. Plant before the first frost and not too late in the year. The first frosts are harmless if the ground can still thaw before the winter starts properly. Bulbs root the best when soil temperatures are at 5-10°C for several weeks. As soon as the bulbs are well rooted, frost can be tolerated well, and no additional cover is necessary. Camassia, some Allium varieties and the earliest Cyclamineus daffodils are particularly sensitive to frost. Summer flowering plants should be planted in April / May. 4. The life expectancy of bulbs can be affected when selecting a suitable location. Assessment factors include soil conditions, the position of the sun, light transmission of woody plants and the competition of neighbouring plants, grasses and weeds. Flower bulbs that are not suitable for naturalisation should not be planted at the same site year after year; if necessary, the soil must be replaced in order to avoid diseases and soil fatigue. 5. Do not plant bulbs in locations that are too wet, though Flower Bulbs Along Streets Service Section: Flower Bulbs there are some plants that tolerate moist soils. Ensure good drainage. Since bulbs do not root deeply, the soil must be able to hold moisture well. If needed, the soil structure can be improved by adding coarse sand or peat moss. The optimum pH for flower bulbs is approximately 6.5. 6. Fertilisation is not necessary, but is sometimes recommended. Especially for new plantings and when the soil structure is not optimal, a basic fertilisation of 2 kg per 100 m² (12-10-18) or mixing in well-rotted compost before planting is recommended. When the spring flowers begin to emerge, calcium carbonate should be added and then no more fertilisation should take place. For summer bloomers, a base fertilisation is necessary. 7. Flower bulbs have proved very effective where grasses and weeds do not grow well, due to lack of light and the root growth of woody plants. Tillage (digging and loosening soil) is not advisable because this encourages root growth of the woody plants. Dominating roots must be destroyed on newly landscaped grounds before the “competitive sensitive” flower bulbs can be planted. 8. Group-forming bulbous plants can be divided after a few years. This promotes growth in the following bulbs: Galanthus, daffodils, anemones and crocuses. Soil improvement can stimulate growth for plants that form rhizomes. Snake's Head Fritillary Snowdrop Grape Hyacinth Winter Aconite Crocus Siberian Squill Madonna Lily Lily Crown Imperial Narcissus Tulip Hyacinth Planting Depths of Various Bulbs and Tubers
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