Eucomis Sparkling Burgundy

lilysilly

Hi all, I've had a lovely gift of three 18cm dia Eucomis bulbs, and l need some advice on what to do with them. The planting information given on the pack is minimal. Planting depth says 15 cm deep, does that mean base of bulb that deep or bulb tip. Soil type, I've got John Innis No3, would that be preferable to MPC, l can add grit  for extra drainage. Would all three bulbs be able to share a 45 cm pot and have enough space to thrive. I've not seen these plants in the flesh so have no idea how leafy or tall they can become. Sorry if questions seem to have obvious answers, but they were from a good pal and l don't want to do the wrong thing with them, so thought I'd ask you guys with experience of them. ????

Fairygirl

Planting depth for bulbs is usually around three times the depth of the bulb, so if the bulb is 2" /5cm deep, it needs a 6" /15cm hole, with about 4"/10cm soil above it. It's not an exact science though, just an approximation, so don't worry too much. 

A gritty mix for them. Use a soil based compost if you want to keep them in pots long term, but if not, any MPC will do. They should be fine together in a pot that size, but as they grow, you can pot them individually. They're really striking plants, but not totally hardy, so it depends whereabouts you are as to what you do for overwintering them   

Are you sure you mean 18 cm diameter for the bulbs - that's massive! 

Last edited: 18 February 2017 11:33:32

lilysilly

Oh what a numpty l am, try 18cm circumference, sorry late night. I'm in Devon, but at the bottom of a valley so a bit of a frost pocket even though back garden is south facing. I'll over winter them in the spare room. I think I'll mix JI and MPC with grit and then renew the soil yearly in early spring.? 

Fairygirl

You can leave them outside, tucked against a wall for protection, and fleeced in severe spells, or put them in a cold frame or similar, if you have one.  They don't really need more than that. It's wet that's more of an issue. 

18cm bulb would probably need a 45cm pot to itself   

If you do  a little search, you'll get some images of them, and that'll give you an idea of what to expect when they grow  

lilysilly

I don't have any spare wall to tuck them against, l have a lot of agapanthus tucked in snuggly. I've a small plastic greenhouse, l could maybe fit them in there for the winter. We get a lot of rain down here. Thanks for the advice Fairy girl. 

Fairygirl

Excess rain/wet conditions are the real problem for them so a bit of shelter should be fine. If your Agapanthus are ok, I'd reckon the Eucomis will be too.

I couldn't keep mine alive up here over winter in a previous garden, as I had nowhere suitable to put them at the time, and didn't realise I could have tucked them somewhere against a wall with a bit of protection round them  

I've considered getting some for my new border though - against a new house wall, facing south, and in a nice gritty mix. We live and learn....  

lilysilly

Fairy, l think you should go for it and buy yourself some. How lucky you are to have a new border to plan and plant. I need to have a good lift and divide this year, pot some plants up for a charity plant sale l support. Make a bit of space for the annuals l can't resist growing.

Fairygirl

Not sure about lucky lily - I have less time for it now! New extension done last spring, so I still have quite a bit of reshuffling and constructing to do, but the bulk is done.

Glad I did most of the garden when I moved in four years ago and I wasn't working so many hours. 

The new bed is for 'hotter' planting and I'm experimenting a bit with it. Some plants are in and I'm growing some from seed. Some to buy as well, and they will be a mix of tried and tested ones I've grown before, and a few new ones. 

Just as well I'm working more hours to pay for it really....

lilysilly

Do you mean hotter as in tropical plants, or hotter as in bold, bright colours. I had a thing last year for deep orange flowers, planted with lots of blues and bright deep pinks. I loved it and so did folks passing by.

Fairygirl

Hotter as in colours, yes. Heat is something we don't get a lot of up here! 

I love orange, which many people don't, and I like to team it with purples, which I use right through the garden, with white, cream and simple cool greens. The bed will be slightly clashing colours, but mainly orange, deep reds, purply/reds, and a bit of cerise.