How to Care for Flower Bulbs
Many gardeners take great pride in the bulbs that they have planted in their flower gardens. They are always hopeful that the bulbs will be productive from year to year, helping to sustain their flowering treasures. Several steps can be taken throughout the year to care for and protect various flower bulbs to ensure their continued health and success. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Flower bulbs of choice
- Ventilated storage container for bulbs
- Gardening shovel
- Gardening fork
Instructions
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Dig up planted bulbs at the end of their growing season. By carefully removing the bulbs from the garden, one can inspect each bulb for water damage and pests that can be detrimental to their growth, as well as lead to further infestation throughout the garden. Be sure that the plant has become dormant before removing the bulbs from the soil. Dig around the bulbs, loosening the soil with either a shovel or garden fork to avoid damaging them.
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2
Clean bulbs of excess dirt and scales. Depending upon the type of bulb, some require being rinsed completely free of soil before drying. Store the bulbs in a cool, dry location, but do not allow them to be exposed to freezing temperatures. Bulbs do well throughout the winter months when stored in hanging mesh or nylon bags, which are well ventilated. The exposure to fresh air prevents the bulbs from rotting.
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3
Divide the bulbs so that overcrowding of the plants can be prevented. Problems such as uneven blooming, lack of sufficient new growth and poor overall plant health may signify that the bulbs need to be separated. They should be separated only when the conditions outside are ready for them to be planted. Do not separate the bulbs when prepping them for winter storage.
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Plant the bulbs in well-drained soil. Excess moisture surrounding the bulbs will cause them to rot. It is best to plant bulbs at a depth of three times the bulb's height, unless otherwise noted on the individual packaging instructions.
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References
Comments
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Thank you, this was helpful....
