Author Archive
Sep
06
Posted under
Flower bulb care
Bulbs are among the most interesting, most beautiful and easiest to grow of all flower varieties. Tulip bulbs were once so prized in Holland that it led to one of the best known financial bubbles in history, and even today, tulips are a leading export from that part of the world.Many of the most popular varieties of flowers are actually grown from bulbs, including tulips, crocuses, daffodils, irises, lilies, daylilies, dahlias and snowdrops.Even though bulb based plants are collectively known as bulbs, there are actually five distinct types of bulb plants the true bulb, the corm, the tuber, the rhizome and the tuberous root. This article will provide examples of each type.The embryonic plant contained within the stem base is surrounded by scales (modified leaves that overlap in a manner reminiscent of reptile or fish scales). At the bottom of the bulb is a basal plate; this basal plate holds the scales together and produces the roots of the plant.
Examples of true bulbs are such popular flower varieties as daffodils, tulips and lilies. True bulb varieties of plants are susceptible to dryness and must be handled carefully. When properly cared for, however, individual bulbs can live for many years without being planted.Popular types of corms include gladiolas and crocus. Each corm lasts for a single season, and as the corm shrinks away after blooming, a new corm forms on top of it. In addition, small increases, called cormels, are produced around the base of the corms basal plate.The Rhizome
The rhizome is actually a thickened stem that grows either partly or completely underneath the ground. The largest growth point on a rhizome is located at one end, and additional growth points are located along the sides. The most well known rhizome is the bearded iris.That’s the latest from the understanding flower bulbs authorities. Once you’re familiar with these ideas, you’ll be ready to move to the next level.
If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole understanding of flower bulbs from informed sources.
Aug
08
Posted under
Flower bulb care
When you look at any blooming flower, whether it is a tulip or a wildflower, you see the very last stage of its growth. Not all flowers start the same way, though. There is a difference between a tulip bulb and a seed that every gardener should know. To learn more, read the following information.
Let’s start with the basic definition of an ordinary flower bulb. There are many different definitions you can find on gardening websites. Here are two similar, but different definitions:
An underground leaf bud enwrapped in fleshy scales or coats.
An underground storage organ made up of fleshy scales wrapped around each other from which flowers and leaves are produced.
Let’s pull out the common elements. A tulip bulb is the bottom part of a tulip plant. When the bulb is planted in the soil and begins to come to life, roots and shoots break through the outer wall. Roots dig deeper into the soil to collect water and nutrients. Shoots grow upward and break through the surface of the soil and grow into the green plant that bears a tulip flower.
A bulb is a “storage organ.” It stores food in the “fleshy scales” around the “core” of the bulb. That core grows into next year’s plant.
According to Wikipedia, a seed is a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat, usually with some stored food. The seed coat is a hard case that protects the tiny plant inside. Seeds grow inside a flower or fruit. A seed can be harvested, cleaned, dried and planted to grow new flowers and plants.
You can find tulip seeds within the seed pod in tulip flowers. The pod needs to be pollinated so that the seeds will grow. When the flower dies, you can extract seeds from the pod and plant them the following September. Just be aware that it can take several years before you see a flower on a tulip grown from a seed. Some gardening authorities state that it can take five-to-seven years before these tulips to produce blossoms. A tulip bulb is different from a seed because a bulb will produce a tulip plant and flower the very next year. Make sure to plant either one in the right soil with proper watering and care.
A seed can be as tiny as a poppy seed or as large as a peach pit. The biggest seed in the plant kingdom is from a coco de mer palm tree found in the Silhouette Islands in the Seychelles. That seed can weigh up to 17.6 kilograms or 38 pounds!
Tulip bulbs are very large compared to most flower seeds. A tulip bulb is measured by its circumference. A typical tulip bulb is 11-12 centimeters in circumference which translates to 1.5 inches in diameter. An average tulip bulb measures between 1.5 inches and 3 inches long.
Here’s one more, significant difference between a tulip bulb and a seed. Seeds often grow at the furthest end of a plant, tree or flower. Bulbs do not. A tulip bulbs multiplies by dividing into two bulbs that are attached to each other near the roots of the plant.
Jul
25
Posted under
Flower bulb care
A great way to raise money is with a Spring flower bulb fundraiser. This is usually done as an order-taker sale from a brochure showing colorful pictures and descriptions of available flowers and plants.
You collect payment in advance, place your order, and arrange for pickup or home delivery when your supplier ships your group order. You can do a flower bulb fundraiser at any time of the year, but they work best in late Winter when people start thinking about their gardens and landscaping.
Getting started Picking the right supplier is key to your fundraising success. You want a company that’s been in business for many years and that has a strong fundraising program.
Request a sample catalog from your top three choices and compare product offerings and prices. You’ll sell more if the prices are low and the brochure is colorful and easy to read.
Once you’ve picked your supplier, there are two ways to generate sales. One is the traditional door-to-door sales approach and the other is hosting a spring gardening event. There’s no reason why you can’t do both!
Sales tips For in person sales, following a sales script produces the best results. There are three things you want to do right away with each prospect.
1 – Look the customer in the eye and smile as you extend your sales brochure while introducing yourself. Example: ‘Hi, I’m Jane Jones…’
2 – Clearly explain in one sentence who you are and why you are raising funds. Example: ‘Hi, I’m Jane Jones with the Millbrook High Band and we’re raising funds for new uniforms with these great flower bulbs.’
3 – Ask for their help and use the word ‘because’ because it’s a subconscious psychological trigger word. Example: ‘Can you help us out with an order because the old uniforms are really worn out?’
Additionally, recommending a favorite item gets the person looking for their own favorite to order. Example: ‘I really like the hyacinths because they smell so good.’
Garden event tips Hosting a gardening event is a lot more work than selling to family, friends, and neighbors, but it offers a lot more profit potential. You can offer a lot of related products such as mulch, pine straw, flowering plants, gardening tools, lawn service, etc.
Contact merchants who offer gardening-related products and sell display space at your event where they can show their wares. Contract with nurseries for larger plants and take a cut of sales.
Work with suppliers of mulch and pine straw to offer those products that require delivery. Sell them yourself with a markup added or have them staff a sales table at the event for a share of the revenue instead of a booth fee.
An of course, sell flower bulbs from the brochures at the highest traffic location. Adding displays of those particular flowers will greatly increase sales.
Publicity Any fundraising event requires publicity, so be sure to get a press release out to all the major media outlets in your area. Cover the who, what, when where, why and how of your fundraiser.
Make sure the summary paragraph features a newsworthy angle and describes why you are raising funds. After all, these organizations are looking for news that will interest their viewers, readers, or listeners.
Summary A flower bulb fundraiser is a great way to raise much needed funds for any group. You can do the traditional door-to-door sales approach or you can turn it into an event.
The choice is yours, but whichever one you choose, have fun with your flower bulb fundraiser!
Article written by Kimberly Reynolds.
Jun
16
Posted under
Flower bulb care
If you find yourself too impatient to wait on the spring to bring flowers, you can get spring flowers earlier by forcing bulbs indoors. It is wonderful to have tulips and crocuses blooming in your windowsill as you watch the snow fall outside.
Tips for forcing bulbs indoors:
#1. Garden centers begin selling spring bulbs in the fall since the bulbs need to be planted then to produce flowers outdoors in the spring. The best bulbs for forcing are tulips, hardy narcissus, hyacinths, crocuses and daffodils. Purchase your bulbs and while planting outdoors in fall, save a few of each type to force indoors.
#2. The bulbs need to be kept at a constant temperature of around 40 degrees for a 15 week period. This mimics winter. You can store your bulbs in your outdoor sheds, freezer or refrigerator for this 15 week period as long as the temperature remains at a constant 40 degrees or so. If you use the freezer method and if you have a frost free freezer, the air is much drier so check often to make sure the bulbs are moist. You do not want the bulbs to be too moist to cause rot, but drying out will damage or kill them. If you have room in the refrigerator, you can store bulbs in a paper bag with some moistened peat moss.
#3. After the 15 week winter period, you may plant the bulbs in small pots filled with potting soil or you can use small clear glass bowls filled with marbles. Place several in the potting soil so that the tips of the bulbs are sticking out from the dirt. Pay attention to the shape of the bulb when planting. The tip end where the stems and flowers emerge should be showing through the dirt when planting. If using marbles in a glass bowl, anchor the bulbs so when you add water on the bottom tips get wet. As the roots form, it may be necessary to change the water frequently. Make sure to keep the roots in water and the bulb resting out of the water.
#4. After sticking the bulbs in dirt or marbles, place the containers in a bright window sill. Keep the soil slightly moist until you see the shoots are about 3 to 4 inches tall. Do not fertilize. After the shoots have reached 4 inches, move the pots to a bright sun filled spot and wait until the buds form. After the buds start showing color, move them out of the bright sunshine and back to a bright indirect location. Keep the soil constantly moist during the flowering stage.
#5. After your flowers are spent and the leaves are yellowing, you can transplant them into your outdoor garden. They will not flower again outdoors until the following spring. If you want to save the bulbs to force inside next year, you need to reduce the amount of water. Only water enough to keep the leaves from wilting as they continue to die back. Cut and discard the flower stems and store the entire pot in a cool dry area. You can dig the bulbs back up and store them individually. Make sure these bulbs have enough air circulation to prevent rot and mold. You may wish to store them in dry peat moss in a cool dry area.
Forcing bulbs make very good Christmas gifts. Allow the 15 week period to coincide with the holidays. You can give as a kit, with the bulbs already planted and ready to sprout or give the container with the shoots already forming. Make sure to enclose a small card with the type of bulb and directions for taking care of it during and after blooming. Hyacinths are generally larger and will look good as a singular plant, although some people do not care for its highly fragrant odor. Tulips, crocuses, daffodils and narcissus look best when several bulbs are planted together. You can mix and match for a variety of colors and flowers.
May
20
Posted under
Planting flower bulbs
The Secret Lives of Squirrels
I think squirrels lead double lives. On the surface they look cute, with their big, fluffy tails, but underneath there’s a dark side.
My first hint came when I was growing up and my parents added a family room addition onto our home. Like any good 1970s era family room it included a sliding glass door that led out to a stonework patio. One day, I was amazed to see a squirrel walk right up to the sliding glass door and press his paws and face against the glass. He seemed to be peering inside. Apparently satisfied that the “coast was clear” he then proceeded to dig some newly planted flower bulbs from pots that my mother had left on the patio and eat them, leaving a messy pile of the bits that he didn’t want behind as if he were in some full service, flower bulb diner with someone else to bus the tables. (And he didn’t even leave a tip!)
My next unpleasant squirrel encounter came some years later, when my husband and I bought our first home. It was a lovely neighborhood. Our house sat high on a hill and our backyard sloped down to a small creek that traversed the entire subdivision. Beyond the creek was a small grove of walnut trees.
Our dog, a black and tan terrier mix, loved to run up and down the hill and across the little foot bridge that allowed us to cross the creek to the walnut trees. The walnut tree grove proved to be a popular squirrel hangout and one day our dog decided he would have a bit of fun. He went tearing down the hill toward a small congregation of squirrels in the middle of their walnut feast. They actually seemed to taunt him, waiting until he had nearly reached their group before scampering high up in to the various trees. As he barked at them helplessly from the ground, the squirrels seemed to be pelting him with walnuts! This battle repeated itself nearly every day for the entire time that we lived in that house.
By far my most harrowing squirrel episode occurred several more years down the road. I was living in another home surrounded by many lovely trees and plants. Although by this time I was a single mother with a four year old son, and the black and tan terrier was decidedly older and slower than before.
This house was a modern looking bi-level, where the upper level included the bedrooms of my son and me as well as an open loft which served as an upstairs family room. In one corner was a working fireplace.
One night I was awakened from a deep sleep by what I thought was a loud crash. But after
May
19
Posted under
Flower bulb care
Dutch Miracles? Hmm… Red Emperor’ tulips? Mount Hood daffodils? Snow crocus? You stand in front of rows and rows of Dutch bulbs, wondering which spring-flowering bulbs are just right for your garden. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus and so many others – the choice is incredible. You want to try all of them, but the reality of budgets and limited space is usually the deciding factor.
You pick up a tulip bulb and turn it over, meditatively, in your hand, wondering how this new variety would look in your yard. There, contained in a compact package, is one of nature’s miracles. Within that hard, relatively small bulb, you hold an entire flowering plant. Leaves, stem and flower bud are all tucked neatly inside, waiting for just the right conditions to commence its flowering cycle. Imagine the wonder of a child, as you explain these “magical” bulbs. They’ll delight in the simple planting process and spend the winter anticipating a spring flower show.
Here in Zone 5, bulbs are available at garden centers right through the autumn, but selections are best in September and early October. To avoid premature sprouting of foliage during the fall, store bulbs in paper bags in a cool, dark, dry basement until mid to late October.
Is your garden formal, informal or somewhere in-between? Long rows of stately tulips, bordered by earlier blooming daffodils, hyacinths and minor bulbs will create the right look for formal beds. Incorporating bulbs into the informal landscape is a less exact science and a lot more fun. For naturalizing, toss a few handfuls of narcissus or crocus bulbs across the lawn and plant them where they land – children love this part. Cluster groups of daffodils and grape hyacinths (Muscari) under a birch clump.
Most Dutch bulbs lend themselves to group plantings, equally at home around the kitchen garden or planted in pockets throughout the foundation beds. For maximum display, plant minor bulbs (crocus, scilla, etc.) at 20-30 per square foot, tulips at 12 per square foot, hyacinths at 8-10 per square foot and daffodils at 6-8 per square foot.
While a bulb planter is fine for popping in a few minor bulbs, or naturalizing bulbs into a lawn area, I find a spade is generally the most practical tool for the job. This is especially true when planting bulbs in “pockets,” in groups of 6-30 (depending on variety). In general, minor bulbs are planted 3-4″ deep, while major bulbs (tulips, narcissus, hyacinth) are planted 6-8″
May
05
Posted under
Flower bulb care
With fall just around the corner and the gardening season winding down, it’s hard to think about planting. But that’s exactly what you should do if you want to see some bright blooms early next spring. Tulips, daffodils, crocuses and other spring flowers start with bulbs planted in the fall.
What’s nice about these early spring flowers is that they are usually done blooming before perennials and other plants take over the flower bed. Keeping that in mind, take a walk around your yard and look at areas where you want to add some early color to your landscape in the spring. Garden catalogs with pictures of different types of bulbs can help you select the type and color of flowers you want in your yard.
Consider different heights and colors of plants and how they might look next to each other. A row of lavender tulips, for example, can provide the perfect backdrop for a row of shorter pink hyacinths. You may want to sketch out your plan on some paper to indicate where you would like to have spring flowers in your yard. This will also give you an idea of how many bulbs you will need to purchase.
If you are as comfortable around a computer as you are the garden, you can try landscaping software. Some programs let you plug in a picture of your home and simulate various plantings. While it might be a bit of overkill if you only want a spring flower plan, it can give you a more holistic approach to your landscaping. You can map out a strategy of what to plant so you will have blooms all summer long, not just in the spring.
You can also take the low-tech, no planning approach of a spring surprise. Try randomly planting different bulbs in flower beds and other areas of your yard. Consider planting some in areas of your lawn that are fairly protected like under trees or near your home. If the grass starts growing, you can always mow around the plants until they are done blooming. After a long winter, it’s a pleasant surprise to see colorful blooms popping out of the ground from bulbs you forgot about.
Most spring bulbs appear on shelves in September and October. If you are a bargain hunter and willing to take a little risk, watch for clearance sales on bulbs late in the fall at garden shops. I have planted these clearance bulbs late in the season with a decent success rate of blooms the following spring. Be sure to plant before the ground freezes.
While you are at the garden shop, be sure to buy a bulb-planting tool to simplify your work. Most spring bulbs should be planted at a depth of four inches or more, depending on the type of flower. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package and check how much space you should have between each bulb.
Once your bulbs are in the ground, you may need to protect your investment from deer, chipmunks and other garden invaders. A publication from University of Vermont Extension by Dr. Leonard Perry suggests placing fine mesh over your plantings to help prevent rodents and other animals from digging up your bulbs. After your flowers bloom, the same publication recommends leaving the leaves on the plants until they turn yellow to ensure the bulbs get enough nutrients for the next season.
With some advance planting and a little luck, your work in the fall will be rewarded the following spring. The bright blooms will help you forget about winter and get you motivated for another season of gardening.
Apr
24
Posted under
Flower bulb care
The flower of a tulip is usually formed in July. When they receive enough care, a tulip flower is formed for the coming season (for tulips, sometime in late July). But the lust for tulips was not so much a enthusiasm for the flower, the bulbs became an actual type of currency.
The leaves are four to six inches in diameter with four lobes that are notched into the rough “tulip-flower” shape. In garden tulips there is considerable diversity both in color, flower shape, and time of blooming. The common method to group tulips is by blooming time and flower height. These shorter tulips grow from 15-25cm in height and flower from mid-March.
In the last weeks of April you can catch tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and narcissi all flowering simultaneously. In Holland, where spring is long and cool, tulip flowers last up to six weeks. Each tulip flower has a glass tube inside to protect the bulb from the weather and stands 24″ high. Triumph Tulips: The cup-shaped flowers are borne on strong stems and stand up well under poor weather conditions. ‘Plaisir’ Tulip Double late tulips are also known as peony-flowered tulips, alluding to their large double flowers. These early-flowering tulips are known for their intensely-colored flowers that open wide in the sunshine.
Although the Dutch didn’t know it at the time, these striped flowers were produced when a tulip bulb became infected with the Mosaic virus. Huge collections of nearly worthless tulips became the genesis of the modern Dutch flower-bulb industry of today. The tulip’s entry into Dutch society came in the 16th century when diplomats from Constantinople were said to have brought over the flowering plant. These flowers, such as the Yellow Crown tulips, could be purchased cheaply by even the poorer segments of society. Cut some closed tulip flowers (or flowers from another type of plant).
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Apr
22
Posted under
Flower bulb care
Autumn is the time of year when the weather cools, the tree leaves turn vibrant colors and we gardeners need to think of the Spring. What? Think of spring in autumn? Why? Well, Autumn is when we must plant the bulbs that will give us those early flowering beauties which herald the growing season.
Before summer is through the garden centers are already bursting with possibilities. There are great displays of Tulips, Daffodils, Crocus, Snowdrops, Grape Hyacinths and Alliums among others. My mailbox is full with mail order catalogues which offer a greater variety of these old-time favorites plus others you might never see in stores. I defy anyone to look through a few and not fall in love with something new and different every Autumn. Those catalogues are a danger to wallets so pace yourself. In general you won’t spend a single cent without it giving you endless payback. Bulbs multiply readily with some naturalizing quite enchantingly.
When wishing to create a dazzling Spring flower display one needs to prepare the planting sight which should get ample sun exposure. Remember that in early Spring there are no leaves on trees to shade out the sun so planting under trees is usually all right. Ridding the intended space of weeds and fortifying the bare soil with compost tilling it in well is the best thing you can do to ensure wonderful productivity. Good rich, well draining soil is a must. This has to be done first because once planted these bulbs need never be disturbed except for dividing.
After the sight is prepared one needs to decide what flowers to plant. The best Spring displays I’ve seen in Botanical gardens (and I’ve seen plenty in my many travels around the US) are those with a long blooming time. To achieve this a good mixture of bulbs is required. This doesn’t mean you have to have Daffodils with Tulips or Hyacinths with Crocus unless you like that look. Combinations look amazing when done with contrasting color and shapes. Experiment and you might surprise yourself. Most people, however, seem to prefer a bed devoted to one flower. The look is stunning I must admit but I find it limited. Once they flower, mostly all at once, you’re left with bare ground again. How boring it that?
What I see as the good alternative to the sole flower approach for the home garden is layering the bulbs this way you have a continuous display which can last for over three months if properly thought out. When purchasing these bulbs they are usually labeled
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Mar
29
Posted under
Garden design 
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