Planting summer flowering bulbs.

I planted summer flowering bulbs in containers for the first time last week. I used bonemeal as firtilizer and watered throughly. I'm keeping them in my conservatory until the last frost has passed at the end of April. My question is, should I water them? Some tell me to water once a week whilst others tell me not to water until they show signs of growth. Any advice would be appreciated thanks. The bulbs are :-
Crocosmia Emily Mckenzie,
Zantedeschia Auckland Calla Lilies,
Canna black knight,
Daliah Bishop of Llandaff.

 

Don't let them become bone dry but I wouldn't water until you see shoots at the soil surface, especially with the dahlia as it may rot.

 

So no more watering unless they get dry. I watered them again today because they felt dry after the first inch of compost. If i have to water, is it better to soak through or just water a little? I'm scared of them rotting and as this is my first time doing this I feel hopeless.

 

Lift the pots, unless they feel extremely light then they have enough moisture in there to get them going.

 

P.s. Don't feel hopeless!!! I'm sure you are doing fine. If your dahlia does rot I'll send you a little replacement in the post.
Make sure to keep the dahlia undercover til all frosts have passed.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep you informed on how they turn out. Would you say May time is ok to leave them out?

 

Yes by then they will be sturdy plants and frosts should be over. I would put them out in the daytime from mid/late April onwards to get them used to outside conditions.
Are you planting them in the ground or a container?

 

I have a patio garden so I'm keeping them in containers. I'll start putting them outside in the day in a month then. I do have a mini growhouse 4 tier in the garden. Should i use that from next month?

 

You could keep them in that overnight instead of in the house, and just bring in if any frost is forecast.
Make sure to feed them as dahlias especially are very greedy plants. I use tomato feed at half strength and deadhead regularly to keep the flowers coming. And with the lillies watch out for lily beetles!

 

Keep them in that from next month then you mean? Sorry if I'm slow. Really am a novice.

 

Yes, outside on the patio in plenty of sun. If a cold night forecast put them in the greenhouse thingy mabob, if frost forecast bring the dahlia inside. Happy to help!

 

Thanks, you really have helped me a lot tonight. I'll let you know how I get on

 

No worries. Ooh just saw you have canna- treat this the same as the dahlia regarding frost.
Looking forward to seeing pictures of them all in bloom!

 

Let's hope they survive me drenching them twice. Hope i'll be able to post you positive results in a few months. Should i mulch them now or once the shoots start showing?

 

If they're in fresh compost, they'll be fine til they go in final containers. Then a light mulch if you wish, to help stop them drying out.