Selecting Bulbs
Selecting high-quality bulbs is important. The flower which will appear next spring has already developed inside the bulbs and poor quality bulbs can result in lack of flowers.
Buy the largest and heaviest bulbs you can get. This is important because they produce larger and better flowers, and there is less chance of the bulbs being dehydrated.
Select bulbs that are firm and plump. Small nicks, or loose skins do not affect the quality, but avoid bulbs which has soft spots, shows sign of rotting, or which are very light for their size.
Storing Bulbs
Bulbs arrive in stores early, and it is usually a good idea to buy immediately because you get to choose the best quality first. If you buy online from reputable bulb vendors, they usually ship at the right planting time for your zone (see below).
If you buy bulbs before the proper planting time, or your bulb vendor ships early, you need to keep them in a cool, dry place. A temperature of 60 F to 65 F is ideal. Temperatures higher than 70 F can damage the flower inside the bulbs. So can ethylene gas released by ripening fruits or cut flowers. Do not store bulbs with fruit such as apples or pears. If stored in a refrigerator, ventilate frequently by opening the door/drawers every day.
Planting bulbs.
Spring flowering bulbs are very easy to plant which is no doubt one of the major attractions for most home owners. However, there are a few general guidelines which you should observe:
When to plant
Spring-flowering bulbs must be planted in the fall to satisfy their cold requirements. Usually, it is best to wait until the soil temperatures fall below 60 F as this will develop a good root system.
The common planting periods are:
- Zone 2/3: September
- Zone 4/5: early to mid October
- Zone 6: Late October/Early November
- Zone 7: November
- Zone 8: November/ early December
Another way to remember is to plant after you have had the first night's frost. Even when this happens, the soil is usually still warm for several weeks enough to support good root establishment.
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