How to Tell If Flower Bulbs Are Alive
Flower bulbs offer gardeners the ability to plan and plant their gardens out of the growing season. With a variety of colors and flower types from which to choose, you can layer bulbs with different blooming times for continuous flowers until the fall season. It is important to pick bulbs that are alive and not diseased in order to save money and not waste garden space. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Purchase bulbs individually, so you can inspect each bulb. Flower bulbs sold in packages make it hard to tell if your bulb is alive or intact.
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Hold the bulb in your hand. The bulb should feel heavy if it contains a living flower. The larger the bulb means the larger the bloom. Choose large bulbs for growing dramatic focal points in your garden.
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Check the bulb's tunic or paper covering. It should be intact and undamaged, because it protects the scale leaves that hold the nutrients. Without the tunic, bulbs become dry and die.
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Make sure the bulb is free from scratches or cuts, which can allow fungus to enter and infect the bulb. The botrytis blight is a common fungus that not only infects the bulb, but also can infect other flowers growing in your garden.
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Pick out bulbs that have roots. Be sure to always plant the bulb with the root system facing down.
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Choose a time before the first freeze to plant your bulbs for the spring. Large bulbs should be planted 8-inches deep and small bulbs need to be places in a 5-inch hole.
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Dig an 8-inch hole to plant larger bulbs. You can also plant bulbs that have a blooming time later in the growing season. Make sure they are root-side down and pointy tip up. Place your larger bulbs 3 to 6 inches apart from each other.
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Spread 2 inches of soil over bulbs. Plant your second layer of smaller bulbs and bulbs with early blooming times. Give smaller bulbs 2 inches of growing space from other bulbs. Pack soil on top and place 2 inches of mulch on the growing area. Water thoroughly.
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Tips & Warnings
Plant the bulbs right away to ensure they do not die during storage.
Keep a receipt for your bulbs that you purchase online. Be sure that the nursery has a return policy before ordering.
