Bulbs Grow Guide

As summer starts to ease its time think about bulbs – tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, freesias and many more. Mother nature is a great planner and she has taught us that Autumn is the time to plant and feed spring flowering bulbs.

Growing bulbs is easy; generally all they need is a good fertile, free draining soil and plenty of sun. Bulbs thrive in pots and containers too.

The best selection of bulbs will be available in garden centres from mid February through to the end of March. Most bulbs should be pre-chilled in your fridge until the desired planting time. Lilies and dahlias are the exception. Plant out once the soil temperature drops or daylight saving ends. Most bulbs need plenty of sun to flower well. Some varieties, such as bluebells, like part shade.

Location
Some bulbs grow best in full sun whilst other varieties tolerate semi shade – check individual growing requirements first. An ideal place to plant bulbs is under a deciduous tree as it will help to keep bulbs cool and the tree roots will soak up excess water to avoid water logging.

Prepare bulbs
Dust bulbs lightly before planting with a Sulphur based duster. Use Tui Mite & Mildew Control - Flowers of Sulphur as this will help prevent powdery mildew and red spider mites on bulbs. It also has the effect of promoting plant growth and frost hardiness.

Bulbs in the garden
Improve heavy or dry sandy soil by adding Tui Organic Compost with added gypsum and blood and bone. Apply Tui Bulb Food, it has all the necessary nutrients to promote the growth and flowering potential of all bulb types. Apply around 1 handful per square metre and dig into the soil.

Plant your bulb twice as deep as the width of the bulb. For example if your bulb is 2.5cm wide then plant it 5cm deep. Failure of bulbs can be due to planting too shallow. Once planted water in well and keep the area weed free. Wait patiently for the late winter signs that spring is on its way and your bulbs pop through the soil.

Bulbs in containers
When planting in containers the same principles apply – choose a spot that gets plenty of sun and a container that has good drainage. Critical to growing bulbs successfully in containers is using the correct potting mix. Debco Bulb Mixture has the right balance of nutrients, which will promote better flowering; trichoderma, which prevents bulb rot, and Saturaid, which prevents water logging.

Fill your container with Debco Bulb Mixture and place bulbs evenly throughout the container. Be careful that the bulbs do not touch each other, or the walls of the container. Once planted, settle the mixture by gently tapping the bottom of the container on the ground and water well.
Plant other flowers in the top of your container such as polyanthus, pansies and violas. These annuals flower in the cooler months and will extend your flowering season. Planting in containers also has the advantage that you can move them out of prominent areas in the garden when they are past their best.

Maintenance
Maintain moisture while the bulbs are growing.
Feed bulbs with Tui Bulb Food at planting stage, when stems appear, when starting to flower and when they are dying down for a bright display of colour. Avoid direct contact with bulbs and bulb food to prevent burning.

After flowering, bulbs will naturally die down, and foliage will wilt and go brown. This is an important part of the life cycle. It is at this stage the bulb is storing food for the following season. Most bulbs can stay in the ground for years with new bulbs forming from the parent bulb.