Planting Guide for Fall-Planted

Spring-Flowering Bulbs

 

BEST PLACE TO BUY BULBS:  Your Local Nursery.

 

VARIETIES RECOMMENDED FOR PHOENIX:  Alliums, Amaryllis, Fall-blooming Crocus, Saffron Crocus, Winter-blooming Crocus, Daffodils, Freesias, Bearded Iris, Dutch Iris, Grape Hyacinths (a.k.a. Muscari), Hyacinths, Lycoris, Narcissus, Ranunculus, Sparaxis, Hybrid Tulips, & Species Tulips.

 

REFRIGERATE:  Winter-blooming Crocus, Hyacinths, & Hybrid Tulips for 6-8 weeks before planting.

 

BEST TIME TO PLANT:  Fall, once temperatures have dropped below 95°.

 

SUN:  Full all day sun, 6-8 hours of direct sun minimum. 

 

SOIL:  Should be well prepared with plenty of organic matter added to it.

 

PLANT SPACING:  Varies by variety, check the information that comes with your bulbs.

 

PLANTING DEPTH:  Refer to the information that comes with your bulbs, or use the chart below.

 

 

WATERING:  Water bulbs thoroughly after planting.  Let the top inch of soil dry before watering again.  If the soil is kept too constantly wet, bulbs may rot.  Until bulbs begin forming roots, and leaves appear, water carefully.  Once leaves are showing, water thoroughly each time you water. When the top inch of soil is between damp and dry water again.

 

FERTILIZING:  Bulbs are heavy feeders; use a fertilizer high in phosphorous.  Fertilize when tops are 4”-6” tall and again after they bloom.  Follow the application rate on the package.

 

CARE AFTER BLOOMING:  Continue to water regularly.  Allow leaves to yellow and dry naturally.  Do not remove leaves before they are dry; bulbs need the leaves to build up strength for next year's bloom.  Removing the leaves before they dry will weaken the bulb and adversely affect next year’s bloom.

 

Most bulbs can be left in the soil for many years before requiring digging and dividing.  Dig and divide bulbs every 3-5 years, or when bulbs become crowded and bloom performance has become poor.

 

Ranunculus and Anemones should be taken up out of the soil after leaves have dried, and stored in the house until being replanted.  If they are left in the soil through the summer, it is likely they not come back for a repeat performance.

 

Dig up Winter-blooming Crocus, Hyacinths, & Hybrid Tulips in mid-August, and refrigerate until replanting in mid to late October.

 

 

FOR INFORMATION ON GROWING PAPERWHITE NARCICUSSUS IN POTS:

Pick up next month's copy of Gregory’s Gardening Guide For November 2010, which will be available at the Desert Botanical Garden Fall Plant Sale on October, 15, 16, & 17, or from The Herb Guys at the Downtown Phoenix Public Market & The Herb Guys at the Scottsdale Old Town Farmers' Market on Saturdays, or from Baker Nursery or Southwest Gardener, beginning November 1st.

 

FOR INFORMATION ON GROWING AMARYLLIS IN POTS:

Pick up a copy of Gregory’s Gardening Guide For December 2010, which will be available beginning December 1st from The Herb Guys at the Downtown Phoenix Public Market & The Herb Guys at the Scottsdale Old Town Farmers' Market on Saturdays, or from Baker Nursery or Southwest Gardener.

 

For more detailed information about growing bulbs, see the article,

 

 “Growing Fall Flower Bulbs” in:

 

 

 

 

 [This page was last updated on October 1, 2010]

GregorysGardeningGuide.com/Tips/Growing Fall Flower Bulbs