snowdrops - bulbs or in the green?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by TOR, Jan 19, 2012.

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  1. TOR

    TOR Gardener

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    My new garden doesn't seem to have any snowdrops. A BIG fault. So, which is best - bulbs or in eh green? Bulbs cheaper for sure, but will they grow? Seem to recall some study in the RHS magazine that bulbs planted in June was best, btu what is your experience?
     
    TOR, Jan 19, 2012
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  2. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    Hi TOR, you didn't say what kind of soil you have and in which direction it faces, that would help.:D

    I planted 400 Snowdrops in the green last Spring around the garden in clumps of around five plants, and from what I can see they've all come up, or are in the process of. I've also ordered 200 Snowdrops and 100 Bluebells in the green to plant in the next week or so.:heehee::WINK1::rolleyespink::D

    I have tried planting dormant Snowdrop bulbs over the years with mixed success, mostly in the negative sense. They don't appear to be as viable as, say, Crocus bulbs which I can plant anywhere and they come up. So, for me, I would buy Snowdrops in the green rather than in just bulb form. It is, on the surface, more expensive but you are more or less guaranteed success with Snowdrops in the green so long as you follow the accompanying instructions, or do a bit of research to get to know what they like.:D:thumbsup:
     
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      ARMANDII, Jan 19, 2012
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    • daitheplant

      daitheplant Total Gardener

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      Tor, always buy snowdrops and lily of the valley in the green.:dbgrtmb:
       
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        daitheplant, Jan 19, 2012
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      • joolz68

        joolz68 Total Gardener

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        ive just bought some from BnQ ..4 lots(plant pots) for a fiver:) but not planted them yet x
         
        joolz68, Jan 19, 2012
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      • ARMANDII

        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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        How many in the pots, Joolz?:D........and how are you?
         
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      • Palustris

        Palustris Total Gardener

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        If you can buy or be given FRESHLY dug bulbs then that is the best way to plant Snowdrops. Failing that then in the green, either in clumps or potted up. The dried bulbs in shops are effectively dead.
        Never plant singly, for some reason Snowdrops like company, so plant in groups of five. Unless you are planting the ones which cost £35 plus per single bulb. :)
        Now for the reason. Snowdrops and most woodland bulbs are best described as 'naked' bulbs. That is, they lack a protective coat to stop them drying out when unplanted. They developed the bulbous form to avoid the shade cast by deciduous trees. They do like a moisture retentive soil for that reason.
        'Coated' bulbs like Narcissus evolved to avoid the drought of Summer and so can withstand drying out.
         
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          Palustris, Jan 20, 2012
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        • TOR

          TOR Gardener

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          Thanks for all the replies. Much as I thought. Maybe I'll run an experiment 50 pounds worht in two places and see how many come up!

          My soil is loam over clay but it's in mid Devon so not exactly suffering from drought much!
          f
           
          TOR, Jan 20, 2012
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        • ARMANDII

          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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          Hi Tor, 500 single Snowdrops in the green will cost between £40 and £45 plus pp. You're right your soil should be okay if you plant them in the right area.:thumbsup::D
           
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        • strongylodon

          strongylodon Old Member

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          I have one Snowdrop!! and thousands of Crocus, as just stated they need moisture retentive soil and as I am on mainly sand that is probably why I only have one. I imagine the soil here in summer will be too dry for them to thrive. They are something I am going to miss.
           
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          • ARMANDII

            ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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            I'm on sand too, Strongy:thumbsup:. But over the years I've kept dumping used commercial compost and garden compost on it and the added humus has made a big difference. There are quite a few plants that won't grow in my soil, but Snowdrops do because of the years of compost dressing.:D
             
            ARMANDII, Jan 20, 2012
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          • Palustris

            Palustris Total Gardener

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            Well, my few thousand Galanthus nivalis grow in a mixture of broken glass, scrap metal and leaf mould over the top of a peat silt.
             
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            • joolz68

              joolz68 Total Gardener

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              sorry armandii ive only just seen this thread again,im fine thanks. you ok fella? ...i think the pond fish are still alive aswell :)
              theres 4 to 5 in each pot but i did pick the best ones :D ..ive still not planted them :heehee: x
               
              joolz68, Jan 21, 2012
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            • Spruce

              Spruce Glad to be back .....

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              Hi All

              Just spoted one on Ebay Galanthus 1 x bulb of Green Tear £250 and it has another two days to go, and I bet you think I am crazy with the dayliys no way crazy £££ again Armandii you are growing the wrong ones:heehee: plus on ebay you can get 100 for £5.00 to £6.00 if you have a nose about


              Spruce
               
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              • ARMANDII

                ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                I don't think you're crazy over Day Lilies, Spruce......perish the thought:heehee::heehee::D
                Bonkers, Loopy, and as the Arabs say "Magnoon".....let's face crazy just doesn't take you halfway there!!!

                Which ones are the wrong ones I'm growing??:scratch::D
                 
                ARMANDII, Jan 21, 2012
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              • Spruce

                Spruce Glad to be back .....

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                Which ones are the wrong ones I'm growing??:scratch::D[/QUOTE]


                the ones that dont cost £250:heehee:

                Spruce
                 
                Spruce, Jan 21, 2012
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