How to Reproduce Flower Bulbs

The wonderful thing about flower bulbs is that they produce new bulbs each year as they grow creating a larger grouping of plants and increasing the number of blooms. After several years, however, plants may show a decrease in blooming because the bulbs have reproduced and become overcrowded. To revive blooming and encourage new growth, you will need to lift and divide the bulbs in the fall and replant them for next year's flowers.

Things You'll Need

• Garden fork
• Bulb food
• Mulch

Instructions

1. Divide bulbs in the fall once the foliage has died back but before the ground has frozen. If you must divide bulbs in the spring, keep all leaves intact.

2. Dig beneath the clump of flowers with a garden fork. Use care not to damage young bulbs. Dig several inches away from the base of the plant. Slide the garden fork under the mound of bulbs and lift them from the ground.

3. Remove excess soil by shaking gently or brushing the soil away with your hands. Place the bulbs on a flat surface where you have plenty of room to work. Pull the individual bulbs apart with your hands. Trim dead or dying leaves.

4. Replant half of the bulbs in the original location. Spread them out so there is room for the bulbs to grow and multiply. Plant the extra bulbs to the original depth in a new flowerbed and cover with soil. Apply bulb food to the top of the soil and mix it into the top few inches of soil.

5. Water thoroughly to provide adequate moisture for the bulbs to develop a root system. Mulch with 2 to 4 inches of leaves to provide protection from winter weather. Remove mulch in the spring when new growth appears.