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Let the Bulbs be planted.

© Gary Buckley

Moving States is somewhat bemusing to this writer. Here in the cooler climate, things seem to be flowering way out of wack in comparison to Victoria.

Over time, it is surprising to see just how conditioned we are by our own gardens, thinking that what happens to plants within our range of vision, is the norm. That is, normal behaviour for that particular bulb or plant.

It is well to remember that this generally is often not the case. I only mention this because yesterday talking to a gardener, she felt somewhat threatened with the knowledge that her Narcissus were behaving somewhat erratically and had failed to show their heads this season. This is the beauty, we feel of the internet, for it exposes us all to the fact that plants do behave differently in various micro climates and even their growth rate can differ from season to season, depending on weather patterns prevailing at the time.

We are in the middle of a prolonged dry spell here in Tasmania. Water capacities are down below the thirty percent mark. Bearing this in mind, it is not surprising that certain bulbs, have failed to pop up at the moment.

As we know them today, the very nature of bulbs, have evolved to adapt to natures changing graces. It is therefore no great surprise to hear that when the fall rains failed to eventuate, so too did emerging flowers of certain plants. Here we have the double effect of both drought like conditions and a prolonged associated warm period; so things will be late.

Without an understanding of habitat, not the habitat of your garden, but the place the bulbs originally evolved over time; then it is so very easy to press the panic button and open the purse to re-order a departed plant.

My advice to all, experiencing similar conditions would be to wait until the nights begin to chill, then commence watering. You might be pleasantly surprised to find; yes late, but there, your treasured bulb.

Here we are using, as always, the word bulb in it;s broadest sense. to include all corms and rhizomes and tubers. This is not a purists page, nor thank god; shall it ever be.

We are a mix of mystery and magic, with a few correct terms thrown in born of necessity, so that some of this transposes the Australian language and can be easily understood by readers in other countries.

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