Flowers: I planted 389 bulbs 10-08 - when do you think they'll bloom?

Replies: 62 Views: 1,040

Author	Comment
XGAPEACH McLean, VA March 13, 2009 02:02 AM	I'm a first time bulb planter. I planted crocus, daffs, snowdrops, anemones, hyacinths, iris and hundreds of tulips - all on October 22nd of last year. Does anyone have experience on how long it may take for a tulip bloom to come forth? I have a few snowdrops and crocus with blooms, and daff shoots are about 3 inches. There are some tulips that are 2-3 inches up. I'm trying to plan several garden parties/teas and would like to know if anyone out there can give me a clue how long it will be before I have some tulip bloomes, based on how long it takes from the first sprout showing. Anyone? Thanks so much.
flowerjen central, NJ (Zone 6b) March 13, 2009 04:58 AM	Depending on what kind of bulb there should have been info on whether it was early, mid or late spring blooming. Tulips vary...listed by division http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/spring/genus.php?genusid=...
edgeoftheworld Conneaut, OH (Zone 5a) March 15, 2009 09:23 AM	april showers bring may flowers.
glendalekid Tuscaloosa, AL (Zone 7b) March 19, 2009 03:53 PM	Daffs also vary by variety, early, mid or late. Karen
dipsydoodle Newcastle upon Tyne United Kingdom March 20, 2009 11:22 AM	Dare I ask why 389 bulbs and not say 390 or 400? I have Iris' flowering at the minute and I have daffodils still sprouting - most of my neighbours have daffodil flowers but not me yet.
pastime Waterman, IL (Zone 5a) March 20, 2009 11:47 AM	If you followed the instructions for planting you should be in flowerland soon. It's going to be beautiful.
WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland United Kingdom March 21, 2009 09:20 PM	I agree with all the others, depending on the flowering time for the particular bulbs, some tulips flower April, May or even late June, same with all the others, it also depends of light or shade, soil type and heat/cold. plants have a better idea of nature than most humans and they wont flower outdoors till nature tells them it is the right season/temp etc, I would think IF you have some beginning to show growth, then they are well on there way to starting to grow and bloom, make sure you keep the earth weed free and offer a handfull of feed around the bulbs after flowering and dont cut off the green foliage, you let this die down naturally as this slow yellowing sends food back down into the bulb storage to help them build up strength for the following year, once the foliage becomes brown or dried, you can just gently pull this away without damage to the bulb, make sure you put in labels or mark where the bulbs are after flowering or you may damage.stand or dig them up over the summer autumn. hope this is of some help to you, all you need now is some patience and a camera to remind you of all your hard work. Good luck. WeeNel.
2racingboys Bartlett, TN (Zone 7b) March 21, 2009 09:26 PM	389??? Good Lord, I've got like 20 - at MOST! lol All I know is you better post some pics so we can see that flowerland!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!! Kristy
arejay59 Litchfield, ME (Zone 5a) March 24, 2009 10:53 AM	This will be beautiful holding for pictures!!
flowerjen central, NJ (Zone 6b) March 24, 2009 02:36 PM	Where did Xgapeach go???
arejay59 Litchfield, ME (Zone 5a) March 25, 2009 12:41 PM	She is watering...lots of bulbs,,,,
NoGreenThumbnTN Jackson, TN (Zone 7b) March 25, 2009 12:50 PM	My tulips started blooming this week. I only have 8 though. View Larger
neworleansdude New Orleans, LA (Zone 9b) March 30, 2009 07:43 AM	I haven't done bulbs or corms in the past and this was my first year doing some also, so Peach, I have no advice for you. But maybe someone has some for us both! I planted close to 40 crocus and had a total of 4 blooms. Planted them, iris, muscari, hyacinth, and freesia in december. The Muscari and Freesia are doing well, and have flowered. The Hyacynith bloomed in Feb (well, half of them) but didn't last long at all. I'm in zone 9 did I plant these corms/bulbs too late? Also I'm in a slightly alkaline soil 7.5. They get tons of light with a SE facing yard 8+ a day. The nitrogen level is low, but good on the phosphate and potasium. Hopefully the iris are going to start blooming soon. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks.
flowerjen central, NJ (Zone 6b) March 30, 2009 07:45 PM	In your zone the bulbs need to go thru a cooling phase, did you buy pre cooled? I'm not 100% sure how that works since I don't need to do that here. Maybe someone from your zone can chime in here. Are your sure the bulbs are still there, do you see any foliage? Maybe critters got to them, here I have to surround my bulbs when planting with chicken wire.
neworleansdude New Orleans, LA (Zone 9b) April 5, 2009 09:49 AM	Everything has foliage. It's weird, but the hyacinth seem to be stricken with some sort of blight....some of them are just rotting away after a very short bloom time then the greens grow, then...blah! A couple of things I've noticed growing these in the dirty south 1. The muscari getting more light have sent up two or three flower stalks, the ones in the shade in a container only one. However, the ones in the shade have produced more seed pods. Could have to do with polination. ::shrugs:: 2. The freesia in the back yard with 8+ hours of direct light aren't doing as well as the potted ones getting only about 4 hours....I've read they're originally from South Africa in higher elevation. The ones getting all the light are blooming, but they seem to be sped up. 3. From the last post to now, of the 12 or so Iris I planted, two of them are getting very close to bloom now.
NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS (Zone 8a) April 5, 2009 04:00 PM	neworleansdude, I think it has a lot to do with our warm climate. Anytime I've planted bulbs during the fall, they come up in the spring and I may get a few blooms but most of them don't really bloom good until their second season. A friend gave me some irises which I planted in the fall of '08--they didn't bloom at all that spring but they have multiplied and are blooming beautifully right now.
neworleansdude New Orleans, LA (Zone 9b) April 10, 2009 07:40 AM	Thanks NatureLover...I'll try to be patient with the bulbs. For some of the Freesia that were in containers, I moved them into larger pots- it was interesting to note they are all totally root now...not a hint of a bulb. I have a a couple dozen muscari seeds that I'll plant soon. They look viable so we'll see what happens. I checked a few of the hyacynith and they still retain their bulb. It's always nice to learn something new. I tended to think that most bulbs were more of a Northern thing. That and for myself I grew herbs and veggies...it was the girlfriend that asked me to start planting more flowers. :)
JulieQ Cullman, AL (Zone 7b) April 10, 2009 02:18 PM	neworleansdude: I'd be willing to bet that given your location your soil is very warm and wet. Not conducive to some bulbs, as they will rot. In Minnesota my bulbs did great but here in Alabama I can't get tulips to bloom from year to year. The first year is great, and then it goes downhill from there. I may have to try the container idea. That might be a good solution!
ecrane3 Dublin, CA (Zone 9a) April 10, 2009 02:23 PM	You can dig up your tulips and chill them--if they're surviving and not blooming well then it's most likely the lack of winter chill that's causing problems for you. Or you can treat them as annuals and buy new pre-chilled bulbs every year.
neworleansdude New Orleans, LA (Zone 9b) April 12, 2009 07:21 AM	JulieQ: the container for the freesia is about 24" diameter and 18" deep. West facing porch. We have 6 growing in there. I've learned they seem okay with some crowding, at least with potting soil and part-sun. As for yer comment...yes, it is warm and wet soil. And I've tested a few of the bulbs by digging them up and generally there is no bulb, just roots. I do understand most of them need 3 or 4 months after the blooms to grow the blubs/corms for next year. Anyone else in zone 7 or higher have advice/antecdotes on this? This site rocks, and yer all good peeps. Glad I found it. :)
XGAPEACH McLean, VA April 13, 2009 08:01 PM	I've been out of town; sorry to keep you all waiting. I have had dozens of daffs. I've cut 4 dozen (2 last Monday and 2 dozen today) to bring to my office and share with neighbors. I had 4 yellow and red tulips to bloom and have several poking their heads out. I am hosting 3 teas (25 ladies and little girls each time) to celebrate spring and have been anxious to get the right date and make sure the tulips would bloom during that time. The teas will be April 25th adn 26th and May 2nd. As I posted on other threads, I've never grown anything prior to last spring (I put sweet peas out to grow in June ) and I had NEVER planted a bulb. To Dispsydoodle, I just counted what I planted! I planted: 12 types of tulips, 3 or 4 kinds of daffs, hyacinths, muscaris, anemones, iris and winter aconite. The hyacinths have just shot up, I have some big red tulips that are almost open and the daphs are just crazy. I have a 28 x 5 ft planting bed and many, many pots in a 500 sq ft area. yes, it's a lot, but the gardening has been therapy for me. It has provided me with great joy. Photos to come! I promise. Thanks to all of you. You are all so nice and have been a great resource.
bluebunn Rutledge, TN April 14, 2009 01:00 AM	Most of mine are blooming right now.... View Larger
bluebunn Rutledge, TN April 14, 2009 01:01 AM	more..... View Larger
flowerjen central, NJ (Zone 6b) April 14, 2009 01:03 AM	Beautiful, bluebunn.
bluebunn Rutledge, TN April 14, 2009 01:05 AM	and more... have a lovely tea party! View Larger
neworleansdude New Orleans, LA (Zone 9b) April 14, 2009 10:14 AM	Bluebunn: great photos. Those looked like muscari up front with tulips and daffs on the side? I'm curious how many years have they been there and what is your elevation?
bluebunn Rutledge, TN April 15, 2009 03:24 AM	Our elevation is about 1000. The red tulips have been here for about 3 yrs. Every thing else was planted in the fall.
neworleansdude New Orleans, LA (Zone 9b) April 15, 2009 07:13 AM	Bluebunn: your photos are awesome- the plants look great not just from a visual point of view but very healthy also. Do you think your higher elevation (we're at sea level here) and cooler temps are better for most bulbs? I wouldn't mind trying to establish a permanent bulb garden (8 by 6 sort of space) yet with a lot a other things I've read it seems many people dig them up after they've flowered and then had another couple of months to store energy. With those three year old tulips do you dig them up and dry and store for a few months or just let them be?
ecrane3 Dublin, CA (Zone 9a) April 15, 2009 01:48 PM	I think the zone difference between New Orleans and TN is more of a factor than the elevation difference. In your zone some bulbs like tulips are going to need to be dug up and chilled every year if you want them to bloom well--if you go with things like freesias that are from warmer areas then you won't have as much extra work.
bluebunn Rutledge, TN April 15, 2009 03:58 PM	Neworleans, I don't dig up my bulbs at all, and I always plant even more in the autumn. Here in Tennesee, if you plant your bulbs 12inches deep, they will come up for about 5 years. Of course, the first year, the bulbs are big and beautiful and just get smaller as the years pass.But the Muscari just get thicker and bigger as the years go by. I planted over 1000 bulbs last fall..... I just dig a big trench and place them in groupings of about 25 to 50, it isn't too much work, and the reward is great!
Raggedyann Lawrenceville, GA (Zone 7b) April 15, 2009 04:09 PM	You might be surprised!! I've always heard that if you get your bulbs in the ground (in the south) before Nov/Dec., they should bloom for you the following spring. I sure hope you take pics of your tea parties. What a great idea :) Last year I planted some Dutch iris as late as March and in a month they were blooming. Same with Lily of the Valley. Someone from church sent me home with some of her mother's LOV and in a few days they were blooming. It could also be the fact that she dug them up at just the right moment. My friend is in her 60's and she brought these LOV from Pa about 25+ years ago. What part of Ga are you from? Susan
neworleansdude New Orleans, LA (Zone 9b) April 17, 2009 08:31 AM	Blubs/corms planted: about 35 Muscari, 40 Freesia, 20 hyacinth, 50 crocus.10 Iris. All planted between Dec. and Jan. This was stuff we got 50% off at Lowes. Most bulbs are of Dutch (Holland) origin. Almost all Muscari were good and I'd say 28 of the 35 flowered at least one stalk. Of the Freesia at least half have bloomed (nice flowers, the red/yellow seem to be doing the best with some soild white and yellows). Hyacinth has been a disapointment. the Iris are just starting to flower now, 3 so far, with another 2 lookin' good. But only 4 of the 50 crocus. However, I've seen stock footage of them in bloom in the snow, so I think those should have been in the ground Sept. Oct. The last month we already have days up to 80f and nights around 60f. I hope this is of use to someone somewhere in or near this zone. Oh, the other interesting note, I've gotten some really good seed off the muscari, so I'm thinking if you have a spot for them (10x10 or so) and let them self seed I can see how they just become more dense and beautiful over the years.
fancyvan Calgary, AB (Zone 3a) April 21, 2009 06:21 PM	Your Muscari will spread all on its own without seeding. When I first started gardening I planted 25 Muscari bulbs - a few years later I wondered what all the little rocks were in the garden - it was Muscari bulbs I think there were a couple hundred at least.
neworleansdude New Orleans, LA (Zone 9b) April 22, 2009 06:29 AM	I'd like to thank everyone for their advice. At the time we bought all the bulbs we didn't know about prechilling...but I don't want to try to force a plant that doesn't agree with the climate so next year I think I'll be more careful in selecting bulbs that work for zones 8-10. It seems most of the Dutch bulbs prefer z 3-7. Bluebunn: I'll definitley be doing muscari and freesia again. Peace, yall.
XGAPEACH McLean, VA April 27, 2009 01:34 AM	When I started this thread, I had no idea if the 300+ bulbs that I planted in October would bloom. How could little roots like that produce anything so beautiful without sun or water for all of those months. Well....I've been blessed with flowers galore. For everyone who asked for pictures! We live in McLean, Va (3 miles from the Washington, DC line) and everything I planted in october is at full peak. I prayed over these little bulbs. I have everything and every color. I had 30 women on Sat and 26 on Sunday for a tea party. Here are the pictures. Thank you all for your kinds words, words of wisdom and support. Gina (aka. XGAPeach) View Larger
XGAPEACH McLean, VA April 27, 2009 01:36 AM	other pictures from this weekend. Middle section of planter bed. purple and fuschia hyacinths, red roses, yellow and red varigated tulips, big reds, others.... View Larger
XGAPEACH McLean, VA April 27, 2009 01:37 AM	more! View Larger
XGAPEACH McLean, VA April 27, 2009 01:45 AM	they are just beautiful. We were out of town last weekend and when I returned, so many of my tulips had popped open. I cried...my husband knows how I anguished over whether or not anything would actually bloom. I am so surprised and loving the scent of the hyacinth View Larger
XGAPEACH McLean, VA April 27, 2009 01:48 AM	Bunny with the tulips and daffs. also- the laurel bushes in the pic are not supposed to be evergreen. I was told that they would die each year...but we planted them in oak barrels and buried them 2/3 in the raised planting bed. they stayed green all year and now are in bloom. The fragrance of the bloom is delicious...a lovely sweet smell. Here's the question...has anyone had tulips grow back after having cut away the foliage after bloom? In other words, not being patient enough to wait for the foliage to die back before cutting? View Larger
ecrane3 Dublin, CA (Zone 9a) April 27, 2009 01:55 AM	Looks beautiful! Glad your bulbs came through for you! As far as the tulip foliage--you don't necessarily need to leave it up the whole time until it dies back all the way, but you do need to leave it up for a while so that the bulb can store energy for next year. Hopefully someone else will know what the minimum time is.
flowerjen central, NJ (Zone 6b) April 27, 2009 04:32 AM	Absolutely gorgeous. I've never tried to cut it back early so I'm not sure.
neworleansdude New Orleans, LA (Zone 9b) April 27, 2009 09:34 AM	Those are some kickass photos and plants. :)
MiniPonyFarmer Gilmer, TX (Zone 8b) April 28, 2009 02:13 AM	Oh wow, XGAPEACH I just love the bulbs you selected and the way you placed them. GORGEOUS! That teaparty must have been wonderful!
XGAPEACH McLean, VA May 1, 2009 02:29 AM	thanks for the nice words, all. MiniPony, I didn't really have a master plan on planting; I tried to do different vignettes in portions of the beds; it just all came together. no one is more shocked than yours truly.
Volgardner Knoxville, TN (Zone 7b) May 1, 2009 07:55 PM	I have day lillies planted in Oct. 2007; foliage came up in spring of 2008 but no flowers; same thing this year. These were new bulbs from a nursery. They are mulched with cypress mulch; could this be the problem?
Lynnie6868 (Zone 5b) May 12, 2009 11:53 PM	absolutely lovely XGApeach!
CarolynH Maspeth, NY May 13, 2009 07:10 PM	Everyone's Bulb flowers did great!!!! Thanks for sharing your gardens with us!!! I just wanted to sit down with my cup of tea and cookies!!!!
bharatmahan Calgary Canada May 18, 2009 03:02 PM	amazing snaps XGAPEACH!! great work......ur hard work is visible.Keep it up
trioadastra Ellsworth, WI (Zone 4a) May 19, 2009 01:16 AM	Just out of curiosity, are you going to overplant with annuals once everything dies back? Your photos are gorgeous; I wish I had the time to do that every fall...
mommy232 Byron, GA June 1, 2009 04:25 AM	Thanks for sharing....your flowers turned out beautiful...I want to come for tea :)
woodspirit1 Lake Toxaway, NC (Zone 7a) June 4, 2009 10:33 AM	I have trouble with tulips and lilies because of the squirrels. Sometimes if I plant daffodils close by or even around the tulips & lilies, it helps
XGAPEACH McLean, VA July 5, 2009 11:50 AM	I planted over the tulips with annuals and perennials. I'll share photos today. I have daylillies, phlox, sunflowers, zinnia, impatients, cleome, cosmo (just finished), etc.
Lynnie6868 (Zone 5b) July 5, 2009 04:59 PM	XGA you know we want pictures, right? :)
woodspirit1 Lake Toxaway, NC (Zone 7a) July 8, 2009 09:08 AM	XGAPeach is so appropos right now. I left Savannah around 1957 and I still miss it. A very compelling place.
XGAPEACH McLean, VA July 9, 2009 03:48 AM	Here you go! I'll send several - these are casablanca lilies. The perfume is so strong and beautiful. I cut some of the blooms off and take in shallow bowls to colleagues. View Larger
XGAPEACH McLean, VA July 9, 2009 03:51 AM	This is the right side of the garden bed. I've planted sunflowers, phlox monarda, straw flowers, cleome, dahlia, imatients, camilla, petunias...if you look at earlier pictures on this thread, you'll recognize this spot as where my purple tulips were at the end of the bed where the cleome is now. View Larger
XGAPEACH McLean, VA July 9, 2009 03:55 AM	this is my favorite view. It's the right wall of my garden. We live in a condo in McLean, VA (outside Washington, DC). The condo is 3000 sq ft (I have 30 orchids inside) and the terrace is about 300 sq ft and is my respite. This picture shows a pink mandavilla with pink lilies in front of it. I use small eye screws to feed the mandavilla vine through and surround the space on either side of the plant. To the left are black eyed susans and heliotrope that i love. I have orange zinnias and purple verbena on the left also. I will NEVER plant white geraniums again (top baskets); they look dirty as they fade. I have pots of dahlias, but they're getting "tired" and it's warm here. View Larger
XGAPEACH McLean, VA July 9, 2009 04:01 AM	this is the left side of the garden bed with Mr.Bunny planted with salvia, blk eyed susans, geraniums, impatients (i don't like the little rose kind of impatients, I like the pansy shaped kind), . Earlier pics in this thread show Mr. Bunny in April, surrounded by tulips. I love seeing the transformation of the garden from season to season. This time last year I didn't know what deadheading was - - what a lot to learn in a year. I just placed my fall bulb orders with WhiteFlowerFarms and VanBourgondien. I used both of those sites last year and had a fabulous crop. I also used several packs of daffs and tulips from HomeDepot...the only problem I had was my own patience...I didn't realize the allium wouldn't bloom with the tulips in the spring (they are summer) and dug them up and threw them out. The only thing I planted that didn't come to fruition were irises and I suffocated them. View Larger
Prince_1_30 mumbai India July 9, 2009 04:15 AM	5656kk
XGAPEACH McLean, VA July 9, 2009 04:28 AM	Woodspirit1: I've been gone since 1987, but I go back every 6 or 8 weeks...I miss the deep south, but have planted some of what my mother had in the yard when I was a child (she Still has many of the plants - a pink mandavillia like mine) and it reminds me of home. I once introduced a friend of mine as an "EX" Marine...I won't make that mistake again. I know he'll ALWAYS be a marine, just as I'll always be a Georgia peach from Columbus...trying to acclimate to DC after 20+ years. View Larger
flowerjen central, NJ (Zone 6b) July 9, 2009 05:06 AM	So beautiful! I'm sure everyone will fall out of their seats to read you threw away alliums. There is a trade forum on here, do you have freecycle there? Someone would have taken them.
Lynnie6868 (Zone 5b) July 9, 2009 11:32 AM	lol I was thinking the same thing! XGA there are people DROOLING over your pictures who would line up for your discards! It's simply beautiful, though, a wonderful respite I'm sure. I'll go back to your pictures again & again for inspiration when I get discouraged...thank you for posting them.
yellowbird831 Theodore, AL August 3, 2009 05:08 PM	I am a Southern girl, too, XGAPEACH. (Mobile, AL) . . . .and "supposed" to be a gardening gal! But you have outdone anything I have ever done! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I've always been afraid of bulbs... WAITING for the blooms, short lived blooms, sometimes, squirrels, etc. . . Your wait was certainly worth it! You have inspired me to give it a try!

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