Spring bulbs and lack of stems

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Gsylass, Jan 24, 2009.

  1. Gsylass

    Gsylass Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2008
    Messages:
    16
    Ratings:
    +0
    I have a few spring bulbs in my garden, tulips, hyacinths, snowdrops, crocuses and daffs, but they never really develop proper stems. So my 3 poor little snowdrops that have just come out are barely an inch off the ground, and one of the hyacinths which is developing a flowering stem has them all bunched in a knot at the bottom. This has been the case for as long as they've been planted out - they have been given to me as gifts in pots and looking perfect, but as soon as the following year rolls around (having transplanted them to the borders) they don't develop a proper stem. Is there something I can put in the soil to help them?

    Any advice much appreciated! Thanks.
     
  2. lollipop

    lollipop Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2008
    Messages:
    5,581
    Ratings:
    +24
    Hi Gsylass, welcome to GC.



    Bulbs don`t flower for a few reasons, one is that they are planted too deeply-by the time they have reached the top of the soil they are knackered out and can`t summon the energy to try to reproduce. It does sound like yours are in too deep, how far below the soil surface are they?

    And secondly, have you fed them at all?
     
  3. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2006
    Messages:
    10,282
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    South East Wales
    Ratings:
    +2,881
    My thoughts exactly, Claire.:gnthb:
     
  4. Gsylass

    Gsylass Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2008
    Messages:
    16
    Ratings:
    +0
    Hi Claire and Dai, thanks for your replies. The hyacinths are not very deep, the top of the bulbs are level with the soil surface. I tend to plant bulbs about 2-3x their depth, but once the neighborhood cats have rearranged the flowerbeds that reduces the depth at times.

    I don't feed them anything specific, but once they die down I usually put some blood fish & bone into the soil. Is this right?
     
  5. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2008
    Messages:
    17,778
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Here
    Ratings:
    +19,598
    Cat pee is said to be quite poisonous to plants, so if cats are rearranging your garden, perhaps there is your problem.
     
  6. joyce42

    joyce42 Gardener

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2008
    Messages:
    217
    Ratings:
    +1
    Hi Gsylass,Are you sure it is not something you are putting on your soil ,say over fresh compost Or drifting herbiside.J
     
  7. Gsylass

    Gsylass Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2008
    Messages:
    16
    Ratings:
    +0
    Hi Joyce, I don't put anything on my soil except the blood fish & bone when everything's finished dying down. I don't even know if that's bad for bulbs, I was just told it was good for the garden. Is there something better?

    I think perhaps it was the depth thing, as a couple more snowdrops are up and they have more respectable stems. I wish I could do something to help my hyacinths though, as if they were any higher up they'd be sitting on the bed!
     
  8. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2006
    Messages:
    10,282
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    South East Wales
    Ratings:
    +2,881
     
  9. lollipop

    lollipop Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2008
    Messages:
    5,581
    Ratings:
    +24
    David`s right, they need it when they are growing, if it`s there after they have finished they can`t do anything with it and by the time they are growing again it`s all gone.
     
  10. Gsylass

    Gsylass Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2008
    Messages:
    16
    Ratings:
    +0
    Oh, ok, I was afraid of burning them with all that salt, well I'll know for next time thanks!
     
Loading...

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice