fritillaria imperialis maxima bulbs?

Hi everyone I'm thinking of pre ordering some fritillaria imperialis maxima bulbs but I'm just wondering if you get a better price now or it's better to wait until they are readily available? Thanks.

 

Thanks @ARMANDII I'll hang on until September.!

 

There is a seller on eBay now selling fresh bulbs sized 20/24 (fenflora) with 100% feedback, I won't be able to plant in the ground for next year so I'll be using a pot for now, I've worked out I'll need a 50 litre pot to plant 15" deep (which I have) has anyone an idea how many bulbs to put in? I ask because I was reading an article today by Kath Dryden "at a meeting of the Fritillaria Group held at RHS Gardens, Wisley on 1st October 2000" where she stated "the majority seem to grow better when fairly crowded in the pot" but I don't want to over do it.

 

I tend to think pot growing is a bit different to planting in the ground for long term.
Main reason they dont like me these days is they get eaten underground by slugs, but I did grow them quite well for a few years.

I dont think you need to be that deep, I've seen individual bulbs in flower, for sale and the bulb is pretty near the surface, so if you intend growing in containers for one year before replanting I doubt you will need to be quite so deep.

I have no idea how many you will need for a pot that size, a 50 litre pot is a mystery to me, I'm afraid.

 

Thanks for that @pete I've been scratching around the net for ages today, I'm using this as a yardstick at the moment How To Grow And Care For Fritillaria | Bakker.Com
just nice when someone has "been there done that" and can give you the t shirt with a pot that size would be nice to mix rubra and litre.

 

Planting on their sides has always been the advice I remember, and surrounded by sharp grit to deter slugs.
I'll probably have another go again this year, but the bulbs just disappear in my garden these days.

 

Have you tried them in pots

 

Last time I tried they started to flower well, then just fizzled out, got a couple in the garden that just put up leaves these days.

 

I've ordered 3 x Rubra and 3 x Lutea they have been dispatched today and should be with me in 2-3 days, i have read that they should be put on "hydro pellets" ? Are they clay pebbles?

 

Thanks once again @ARMANDII will take your advice.

 

I grown a few of the giant fritillaria , I planted them deep first time ( at least foot down ) and didn't get any flowers , I think I lost 1-2 so got some more and planted them about 6-8 inch down got a few flowers 2 or 3 out of 5 but still not impressed , I had a monster one this year though about 4-5ft tall with a stem as thick as a broom handle.

Tried the Persica black and white this year planted quite swallow about 4-6 inch flowers didn't really form starting to think I shouldn't bother with them . And then theres lily beetle

I heard that the bulbs will right them self's back upwards in time if planted on their side .

I think I may have some pictures from harlow carr with Crown imperial fritillaria in , I put a picture up if you like @mazambo ?

 

A picture would be good @Perki, I understand what you're saying, just one of those things I want to try, Nothing ventured nothing gained as they say.