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Dec 4, 2014
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Okay, this won't be a weekly subject like it was last fall through spring. I never put the tulips away. I never dug them up. They sat in the swing all summer. Right after Thanksgiving, I noticed they were coming up. Is this the way they are supposed to grow, breaking the ground now? Did I do something wrong? What should I have done? Do I need to do something besides just let them be? They will freeze here. Do tulips normally poke through at this time of the year?
You can hand me a new-born baby, and I am fine. Give me a plant and I am so nervous, out of my element. Okay, some plants I have down pat. Bulbs? I don't understand bulbs. Well, yes, I do. But, what do I do with them next after they bloom?
Your turn
Any thoughts?
Linda I don't know too much about bulbs either. What I do know is that a tulip that has been forced as they do when you receive a blooming plant from the florist will rarely ever produce a bloom again. I don't think you should spend any energy trying to care for those bulbs.
ReplyDeleteHere tulips that are bought as bulbs (instead of as a blooming plant) need to be refrigerated for 4-6 weeks before planting in the Fall. They then bloom in the Spring. Some early and some later depending on the particular bulb type. Once again there are problems with tulips planted in a warm area. They generally will not bloom again. They not only require soil full of nutrients to rebloom they require those weeks of cold weather.
On the other hand Jonquils, Hyacinths, Dutch Iris all bloom year after year with practically no care!
My daughter usually has a beautiful spring garden. I will ask her if she has any suggestions of a blooming plant that would be easy for you.
Totally off subject but our Grandson's team won their game tonight. That means if they win next week they will be the STATE division 2 Champions! We are very excited around here!
janet,
ReplyDeleteCheap counts, too. Wow, it will be exciting this next week. hope they win. Caps works periodically.
Caps?
DeleteGo to the following site to find your local Cooperative Extension Service Agency office - you are in Alabama? http://www.aces.edu/main/
ReplyDeleteCall and ask them. It's part of the state university system and is paid for with your taxes. The services are free or very low cost for printed materials and/or tests. This is the home for the Master Gardeners program and the 4-H program. Also, the site is full of information on all facets of agriculture both home and large scale, food prep, etc. Every state has this agency - just search Cooperative Extension Agency and the state. Other than that, have no knowledge of growing bulbs except in CT and IN where you put them in the ground in the fall and they bloom in the spring.
it is very difficult to get these people. The Master Gardeners have limited information from the program. Ever tried to ask a question of them? Most of them either don't know, have to look it up, or tell me I am doing it all wrong when I know I am not.
ReplyDeleteI use the site all the time. the office is one block from me and poorly manned. They have lots of people, but they are usually out in the state doing something. When I do get information, I usually have someone going to a file or to the internet, reading me something, offering to send it to me and I have no opportunity for followup questions since the secretary may be reading to me.
I just thought that asking a question here would get and answer for me from someone knowledgeable. That site is one of my icons on my laptop.
Thanks for the information.
Linda - that is really terrible. Both here in FL and CT it was the go-to source for gardening, forestry, cooking, etc. I agree the Master Gardeners' may not be the best but, here at least, they will refer questions they cannot answer to someone in the division that is appropriate. I have never had a secretary answer a how-to question for me. Must depend on the office.
DeleteMight want to try davesgarden.com for information - it's a forum type site so people from your area would be able to help you.
The county agent is great, but there is little opportunity for a followup questions. I have no gripe with them at all. They are not incompetent. master Gardeners are not helpful at all.
DeleteTry the Jefferson County county agents office. They are fabulous and I have always had someone to speak with, not just downloaded info.
DeleteTulips like cold. Usually they start to shoot when the conditions are right for them. Perhaps yours are trying to say that you have a short winter ahead?
ReplyDeleteEC,
Deleteoh, great info. I did not know that they shoot when conditions are right for the. Short winter would suit me. I think they like the swing...lol. Thanks.
I know nothing about tulips except they are my favorite. Hope they are awesome!
ReplyDeletePatti,
DeleteThey were awesome last year. I may put them in a larger pot, so there is more than one to a pot.
This is Patti from ca
ReplyDeleteI'm like you, I'm fine with kids but plants don't fair so well. I try, it just never works out so well.
ReplyDeleteSonya Ann,
DeleteThat is why I am so nervous about all this. Mostly, I can bring plants back to life. But, I kill my share, too.
We live in zone 8 and I leave my tulips in the ground.. I have never had a problem.. they bloom over and over again... If you do pull them keep them dry and replant right before the first frost....
ReplyDeleteThose ones in the pot will die back if you do get a frost.. If you would like to enjoy them now.. you could bring them in and it will force them to think its spring... you can then plant them next fall before the first frost....
I guess the reason people pull them is for the exact reason as what you are experiencing now.. it stops them from blooming too soon...
You can't go wrong with bulbs.. I find the more I ignore them the better they do.... raising plants was easier than raising my kids :)
deergarden.me,
DeleteThanks for that information and person experience. Some days, most days, my house is as cold or colder than outdoors. So...lol...they might be really confused.
Well, my plants never talk back.
I think I am in zone 8, too. Thanks.