bulbs

[paulinems]

how do i look after these when they have finished to keep for next year they are in pots ,do i put them in ground or leave in pots,do i dry them out or should they still be watered as normal
Tulips, Hyacinth, Crocus, Snowdrops, Scilla, Grape hyacinth, Daffodil, Narcissus
Pauline

[paulinems]

[flossy]

   Oh paulinems,  have usualy got those in the soil ie. garden,  when plants have finished

  thier season, they don't usualy need to be stimulated - again, watered,  fed etc.

  Spring bulbs, once there foliage has died down - are finished untill next year.

   It's you're preferance if you want them to progress towards next spring or leave them

   dormant.  In the ground they will multiply and strenghen,  if in pots --  unless you put the

   pots into a dormant environment =  cool and dry,  You're best bet is to plant them out if you can.

   Hyacinth, I think is best taken from the soil and stored.

   You will get more experienced advice I'm sure --  just hang on a bit,     ;D

   floss xxx

[hopalong]

Now is the time to divide snowdrops - "in the green" - if you want to try and carpet a bigger area with them. There's some helpful advice on the RHS site:

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0301/dividing_snowdrops.asp

[Tee Gee]

how do i look after these when they have finished to keep for next year they are in pots ,

My potted up ones remain in the pot until the autumn (planting time if you like) when I repot them in fresh compost.

do i put them in ground or leave in pots,do i dry them out or should they still be watered as normal

By leaving them in the pots they do not over dry so are in a nice condition at planting time to either plant them up again in pots or transfer them into the beds.


Have look in here For Daffs; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Narcissus/Narcissus.htm then go to 'home' page and follow the alphabetical index for the others you have mentioned.

[Robert_Brenchley]

A lot of bulbs (snowdrops, fritillaries, lilies) can't take drying out. Overall, it's not a good idea unless you know for a fact it's an established practive with the specific flower. All bulbs are best moved when dormant, but you can usually get away with moving them in the green as long as they're replanted straight away. The only advantage of buying bulbs in the green is that you know they're alive. Dried out snowdrops, for instance, often aren't. If you go to a specialist grower rather then a garden centre, they'll be selling freshly lifted bulbs which are a far better bet.

Out of your list, tulips are often best lifted, since they come from continental climates where they dry out in summer. They don't like sitting in damp soil. I don't think there's any reason to lift the others in a normal garden. Even tulips are OK as long as they're in a spot where they're well-drained.

[daileg]

i lifted my tulips last year put into pots in a cold greenhouse and there begining to come through after planting out a couple of weeks ago kept them a little moist over the winter didnt allow to dry out completly they have multiplyed a lot this year from what i can see peeking through the soil

my hyacinths have done ok as well out of the eight i potted up earlier in the year and now have been planted out all are up and doing well apart from one a bit slow

If this helps im glad as ther my favourites as well

[lewic]

I have lots of spring bulbs in large pots and they are fine, I rarely take them out and change the soil - only do this if they get too mossy or covered in weeds.

The grape hyacinths and narcissi in my window box pop up year after year despite their home being used as an ashtray by all my smoking visitors!