Growing Bulbs in Containers

» Gary - Welcome Ann

Hi Ann,
and welcome to 101.
Greetings from Australia, so glad you are writing on Container Gardening; will subscribe once I post this message.

cheers

-- posted by Gary

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» Carol Wallace - Container depth for bulbs?

Hi Ann, I just received a question from a reader who wants to know the necessary depth of a permanent container for bulbs. She is handicapped and so gardens in raised containers. I am guessing that if a daffodil, for instance, needs to be planted 6" deep she would need another few inches below that for root development - but can't find a definitive answer.

-- posted by Carol Wallace

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» wbox - Depth for bulbs

Hi Carol,
I've read that bulbs can (and should) be planted in very shallow containers - so they won't tip over when the flowers get tall. Two inches of potting soil below the bulb should be sufficient to support the roots. You can plant the bulb anywhere from 3-4 times its height (as you would with bulbs outside), or just below the surface.

The depth isn't as critical for planting in containers as it is with back-yard gardening, because you have more control over the environmental conditions of your pot. In the ground, bulbs need to be planted deep so they will be insulated from hard freezes, avoid the unsettling of freezing and thawing, and just be protected in general from critters and other things that might disturb them.

Hope that helps answer your question...
-Ann

-- posted by wbox

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