Missing Eucomis bulb
Hi there - has anyone ever planted bulbs and then they haven't all come up? I bought 3 Eucomis Sparling Burgundy bulbs at the NEC (mid-June) - very late to plant them (didn't plant them until beginning July) but the guy whole sold them to me said they will flower 8-10 weeks after planting. So I put them in the ground and forgot where, but 2 have been popping out for about a week. The third one isn't there. I did gently dig the area with a fork and I couldn't find it. Thing is these bulbs are huge - nearly as big as an amaryllis so I don't understand where it can be. Also I didn't think it was a dud one as these bulbs were late and very advanced and all had little shoots on them already....or could it still be in the ground and pop up later?
Posts
Most likely explanation is the last one. Like many other bulbs and plants, they won't always grow at exactly the same rate.
It's a lovely thing - I had it in a previous garden. Treated it as an annual though. Not hardy up here and I didn't have a greenhouse to overwinter it , or enough windowsills!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I just think it's strange that two came up at exactly the same time on the same day, and the other one hasn't! But I will just be patient. I hope it does because someone told me with the laws of nature always plant in odd numbers or it doesn't look right. But then again if the third doesn't come up that is also nature so two will be the natural number there lol.
Oh I didn't know they were annuals. Also I didn't know you could take out lily family bulbs out of the ground and move them! Thanks.
They're not technically annuals wakeshine, but they aren't hardy enough to withstand our winters up here. Too cold and wet and the soil stays like that for a long time. Everything they don't like. In a warmer climate, in a more sheltered garden with lighter soil, they'd be fine.
There's also the possibility that you've stabbed it when poking around with the fork and it's damaged it, causing rot...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yes I could well have damaged the bulb if not this time when looking for it, previously as I have been planting a lot of stuff around there. It's just a complete mystery to me really though. This was a really huge, solid, purple bulb!!
I bought this plant several years ago as a growing plant.
I would think expecting it to grow to flowering in 8 to 10 weeks is pushing your luck. I keep my plant in my potting shed over winter to protect it from frost.
I brought it out in May and its now its 70cm tall the flower stalk is in place but will probably need a couple more weeks before it flowers. Mine has a put out about three offsets this year.
An optimistic seller perhaps?
Last edited: 29 July 2016 16:56:16
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'
Fairy, I have grown eucomis in a pot for a number of years (not the burgundy one) and sit the pot under the eaves over winter.
Mine is the burgundy one. It seems to survive under shelter but we have not had a severe winter recently.
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'
I don't know I am weedy I got it from Harts the Lilly bulb experts at the NEC show. And that was June 18th and two of three have come up so you never know. Can't remember the exact date I planted them, it was about two weeks after purchasing. Their bulbs were flying off the stall at a very fast rate, queues of people buying loads. I also got some oriental ands some asiatics, and an oriental Asiatic hybrid and those have all come up too but none missing. Thanks for all the info about your Eucomis growing, that's really helpful.
I don't know if I'll remove them over winter, all I am wondering at the moment is where is the missing bulb!! We haven't had very bad winters where I am either, never lifted dahlias or other bulbs and they all came back...
Mine was in an open border Joyce, albeit a reasonably sheltered one. I suppose if I had made the effort to put it somewhere over winter, it might have survived...
I love the plant though. Might be tempted to try some for the new border
I reckon if you can leave Dahlias - you could leave Eucomis wakeshine. Worth trying - or hedge your bets - leave one and bring one in...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I think you should get some more Eucomis Fairygirl. I was inspired after I saw them coming up in Regent's Park, London (below), and then saw them again at the medicinal garden at work (most amazing and unusual garden at the RCP, open to public but little known...).
So then when I saw then at the NEC I was so excited. Now I am but upset that one is missing, but such is life! That's a good idea...I'll see how cold it's getting towards after season and then decide. Such a hassle lifting everything out!