Garden Column for the Salisbury Post Darrell Blackwelder November 8, 2001
November is an excellent time to plant spring flowering bulbs if you can break through our concrete-like soil due to the over extended drought. Many ask specific questions concerning bulb care and below are a few questions concerning planting bulbs.
Question: What is a good bulb food for spring flowering bulbs? Bulbs like phosphorus for good blooms. Use bonemeal in the backfill when planting. Fertilize with complete fertilizer during the growing season. Question: When is the latest I can plant bulbs? Answer: You need to plant them no later than end of November to middle of December. Bulb performances will vary size and quality, but the later in the season you plant, the less chance for a good bloom. Spring flowering bulbs planted in late winter or early spring will not bloom. Question: I have voles that eat my tulips. What can I use to control voles? Answer: Voles eat tulips and other bulbs, but not daffodils or narcissus. You need to trap the voles. Some use hardware cloth around bulbs to make a inpenetratable barrier. The producers of Permatill, a soil amendment, touts the product (VoleBloc)which claims to keep voles away by making the soil uncomfortable for the burrowing animal. For more inforation the webpage address is www.volebloc.com or 1-877-737-6284. Question: When is best time to move spring flowering bulbs? Answer: Spring bulbs should be moved in the fall, so now is a good time to get started. Mark the plants in the spring for fall digging. Remove as much soil as possible, but avoid removing the "skin" or dried layer surrounding each bulb. If bulbs must be moved earlier in the year, remove as much soil as possible, store in a cool location or refrigerator until fall planting. Question: Can I force bulbs now? Yes. Spring blooming bulbs such as narcissus and hyacinth can be forced in the fall for bloom during the holidays. Other bulb species can be forced, but must be chilled. At the retail outlet, look for bulbs labeled "suitable for indoor forcing". Question: Is there any difference in bulbs you get from mail order catalogs or those sold in nurseries. Answer: Maybe. Bargain bulbs at a ridiculously low price is no bargain. Large graded number one bulbs produce the best flower and are more consistent. Avoid using poor quality bulbs. Bulbs should be firm, not mushy, with healthy scales. Avoid bulbs left over from last year. Question: How should I care for bulbs after they bloom in the spring? Answer: Dead head spent bulbs if practical and continue to water and fertilize. The foliage will eventually fade away or turn yellow. Once the foliage fades, it can be removed. Do not mow away foliage during the growing season. Question: I have trouble with tulips and other bulbs reblooming each year. What am I doing wrong? Answer: This can have several causes. Bulbs may rot in soils that stay wet for a long time. Good drainage is essential. Bulbs may stop blooming if they become overcrowded or shaded too heavily. Sparse blooms on daffodils can be caused by planting too shallow. If leaves are cut off too soon in spring, the bulb may not store enough food to bloom the following year. Many varieties of bulbs, especially tulips, will not produce flowers a second year in Southern climates.
Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Rowan County. Visit the Master Gardener Website at www.rowanmastergardener.com for additional information and previously published garden columns.