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Spring Bulbs

RioRita2RioRita2 Posts: 4
in Plants

I'm new to gardening so sorry if this seems a stupid question, but can I dig up the spring bulbs I have in containers?  I need the pots to plant out some summer plants and wonder if I dig up the bulbs how do I store them ready for planting later in the year?  Any advice would be much appreciated.

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Central Norfolk UKPosts: 82,079

    Have you got a corner of the garden where you can plant them to let them die down slowly, then the energy from the leaves will go to replenish the bulbs.

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • figratfigrat Posts: 1,619
    The foliage on spring flowering bulbs should be allowed to die back naturally to feed the bulbs for the next season. Tulip bulbs generally don't do so well year on year, but are one of the bulbs that may be dug up, dried and so red in a dark cool airy place (shed, cellar...) and replanted. They can be stored in old onion nets, tights or similar. Narcissi (daffs) generally do best if kept in a growing medium. You could plant shallow rooted annuals on top of the bulbs in the pots when the dying foliage gives space. And feeding the bulbs ( in their pots still) may help next year's display as well.
  • RioRita2RioRita2 Posts: 4

    I have some space near the conifer hedge, would that be OK? 

  • figratfigrat Posts: 1,619
    So red should be stored!
  • figratfigrat Posts: 1,619
    Might be a bit dry by the conifer hedge. And you would have to mark the spot as foliage disappears in summer. If you have less precious containers, you could move them into those, and stack them by hedge.
  • RioRita2RioRita2 Posts: 4
    That sounds a good plan, many thanks.
  • Garden girl2Garden girl2 Posts: 2

    I know I should feed blubs after flowering with a liquid feed - but does it matter what sort of liquid feed? Would tomato feed do the job?

     

  • ObelixxObelixx Vendée, Western FrancePosts: 28,543

    Yes it will and you can feed them once they start flowering and until the foliage starts to turn brown.

    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 3,983

    Not really, you want a feed which encourages the roots and leaves after flowering, use Maxicrop or such like, rather than a high Potash one which encourages flowering.

  • ObelixxObelixx Vendée, Western FrancePosts: 28,543

    But don't you want to build up a decent flower bud too?

    I fed my bulbs in containers thus this spring, plus pelleted chicken manure for all round goodies, and they're now in the ground for a permanent display - the ones, that is, that didn't freeze to a mush spending winter in pots.

    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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