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.
Mar
29
Posted under
Garden design 
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Mar
14
Posted under
Planting flower bulbs
One of the oldest hobbies known to man, gardening has withstood the test of time as a hobby. It is not only enjoyable but fruitful as well in more ways than one because plants actually bear fruits. You can grow your own flower and vegetables and even fruit. Gardening is a hobby which is easy and gives you exercise and exposure to sunlight as well.
If You Want To Grow Tomatoes
If you are starting out and want to grow tomatoes, remember that are easy plants to grow. As there are more than 25,000 varieties available, you will be able to find a variety which will be suitable for your soil and weather conditions. Tomatoes can he used a large number of recipes and can be used raw or cooked. It is a delight to watch tomatoes growing in your garden as you get to see tomatoes going from green to red before your eyes.
There are two ways to grow tomatoes. You can either buy the immature plants and plant them, or you can grow them from seeds. Just remember that if you are growing them from seed, you need to plant the seeds at least six to eight weeks before the last expected frost.
If you are growing them in your garden, you will need to prepare the soil, dig the holes an the plant the baby plants or the seeds. Even baby plants will need sunlight and warmth, so make sure that the location is such that it gets the sunlight. If you are a window sill or terrace gardener, you need to see that the fledgling plants get the warmth and water that they require
If You Want To Grow Flowers
Planting flower bulbs is fast, easy, and nearly foolproof. Even if you have no gardening experience you should be able to complete this with few to no problems. The first step is for you to prepare the planting bed. Then you use fertilizer, and plant the bulbs into holes.
There are lots of resources available on gardening, whether it is books or internet sites. You can get all the information you need for your gardening needs. Once you get into gardening you will meet other people with the same hobby and as your network grows you will get more tips and techniques to help hone your gardening skills.
How To Find Gardening Help
You will need gardening help whether you are a new at this hobby or a professional gardener. Sometimes you may just need a little organic gardening help, at other times you may need the help of a seasoned expert who can show you what you can. In any case, it is necessary to know where you can access the organic gardening help whenever you need it.
Finding The Information You Need
There are many resources that you will be able to access when you need gardening help. There are innumerable books on gardening available at your nearest library or book store and books will always be there for you to look up. They are among the really good sources of information for organic gardening help.
Among the really good and best selling gardening books are Gardening Basics for Canadians for Dummies by Liz Primeau, Canadian Gardening by Steven A. Frownie and The National Gardening Association. With the aid of these books, you will find out which are the best plants to grow for the area and climate that you live in, make sure that you are using ecologically friendly products, make your gardens really beautiful, whether you have an open landscaped garden or other types which the books will tell you about
The internet is an extremely friendly and informative resource which will help you with your gardening skills. Through the internet you can find any possible information that you are looking for in terms of gardening help. In no time at all you will be able to find solutions to any problems you may face with your gardening or any help that you may require with regard to organic gardening.
If you want to get even more savvy about gardening, there are courses and seminars that you can attend which will provide you with gardening help. As you will be able to ask questions one on one, you will be able to get professional guidance and help. You will also meet people with similar interests and while networking, you will find out even more gardening information which will be of help to you.
Gardening is not just a hobby which is rewarding and interesting, but it also helps you do your bit for the environment. You can use organic gardening to grow flowers, fruits and vegetables which will be of aesthetic value and also perhaps you can literally enjoy the fruits of your labor by eating the fruits and vegetables. Organic gardening may seem to be taking up a great deal of time, but it is not that difficult to do and the rewards are worth the time and labor that you put in.
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Feb
10
Posted under
Flower bulb care
The information about bulb flowers presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about bulb flowers or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.
Bulbs are among the most attractive, and easiest to care for, flowers in the garden. A bulb garden in full bloom can be a wonderful, attractive sight for any gardener.
Another great thing about bulbs is the sheer variety in which they come. There are bulb plants to satisfy virtually any taste, and bulb plants come in a staggering variety of colors, sizes, shapes and textures.
Even within bulb families, there is quite a bit of variety. The humble tulip, for instance, boasts a variety of different shaped blooms, from the traditional bell shaped to a number of more exotic varieties. With all these varieties to choose from, finding just the right bulbs for your garden can be difficult. We are, therefore, providing this guide to popular bulb flowers, including their optimum growing conditions.
Crocus
Bulb Type: Corm
Sunlight: Full sun or partial shade
Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods
Dahlia
Bulb Type: Tuberous Root
Sunlight: Full sun; partial shade in hot climates
Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods
Galanthus (Snowdrop)
Bulb Type: True Bulb
Sunlight: Full sun or partial shade
Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods
Gladiolus
Bulb Type: Corm
Sunlight: Full sun
Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods
Hererocallis (Daylily)
Bulb Type: Tuberous Root
Sunlight: Full sun or light shade
Water: Regular watering during growing season
Hyacinthus (Dutch Hyacinth)
Bulb Type: True Bulb
Sunlight: Full sun
Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods
Iris
Bulb Type: Rhizome
Sunlight: Full sun or light shade
Water: Regular watering during growing season
Lilium (Asiatic and Oriental Hybrid Lilies)
Bulb Type: True Bulb
Sunlight: Full sun or partial shade
Water: Regular watering is required. The root zone must never be allowed to dry out.
Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)
Bulb Type: True Bulb
Sunlight: Full sun or light shade
Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods
Narcissus (Daffodil, Narcissus)
Bulb Type: True Bulb
Sunlight: Full sun
Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods
Tulipa (Tulip)
Bulb Type: True Bulb
Sunlight: Full sun
Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods
No matter what types of bulb flowers you choose to plant, if you follow the instructions carefully and give them the growing conditions they need to thrive, you will be rewarded with many seasons of beautiful blooms from these spectacular plants.
When word gets around about your command of bulb flowers facts, others who need to know about bulb flowers will start to actively seek you out.
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Jan
23
Posted under
Flower bulb care
The only way to keep up with the latest about Caring For Your Plant Bulbs is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about Caring For Your Bulbs, it won’t take long for you to become an influential authority.
How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.
Bulbs are generally among the easiest of all plants to care for, and this hardiness makes bulbs one of the most popular among all kinds of gardeners. Even though bulbs are easy to care for, however, it is still important to care for them properly to ensure you will have a garden full of dahlias, lilies, daffodils, tulips and other bulbs.
One great thing about bulbs is the colors they come in. Bulb plants come in a wide variety of colors, and a flower bed full of bulbs can be one of the most colorful parts of any garden.
As with any type of plant, it is important that your bed full of bulbs receive plenty of water, plenty of sunlight, proper fertilization and a good quality soil. Providing these basic elements is the best way to get your bulbs off to the best start.
When it comes to watering bulbs, it is important to remember that all bulbs need regular watering during their growth and blooming period. For most bulbs, the active growth period begins shortly after they go into the ground, and it continues until the foliage on the plant has died back. The die back generally occurs after the flowering has stopped, or in the autumn of the year.
If there is not enough rainfall available, the gardener should be sure to supplement the water with deep watering, deep enough to reach the root zone, as the roots will be growing underneath the bulb. In addition, providing a good layer of mulch will assist the roots in retaining their all important moisture content. It is important to note here, however, that the bearded iris should never be mulched, since mulching it will cause it to rot.
Proper fertilization is also very important to successfully growing bulbs. The fertilizer should be applied at the time the bulb is planted, in the bottom of the hole, and covered with a thin layer of soil. The bulb should never be placed directly on top of the fertilizer. In addition, the bulbs should be fed with a high nitrogen content fertilizer at the start of the growing season. Providing this extra feeding will help the bulbs to produce more attractive flowers.
After the bulbs have completed their blooming cycle, they will have used up a great deal of their nutrient content. For the bulb to do well the following season it is important for those nutrients to be replenished. There are two steps gardeners should take to ensure that their bulbs will bloom well the next year.
The first step is to be certain that the foliage is left on the plant, even if the foliage looks poor, until the foliage has yellowed and pulls off easily. That is because the leaves will continue to make food for the plant as long as they are green, and this food will help the plant bloom better the next year.
The second step is to provide a good quality fertilizer right after the flowers have begun to fade away. It is important to fertilize with a bulb food which is high in phosphorus and potassium, as this will help the plant thrive the next year.
In order to be their most effective, the phosphorus and potassium in the bulb food must be able to reach the root zone, and for this reason the fertilizer should be placed as close as possible to the roots. For a planting that has already been established, the fertilizer should be stretched slightly into the soil to help it move deeper, and the feeding should be followed by a deep watering.
There’s a lot to understand about Caring For Your Bulbs. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.
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Jan
02
Posted under
Flower bulb care
Planting spring bulbs is a fairly easy project. You dig a hole a little deeper and little bigger than the bulb you are planning to put in the spot and put a little plant food in the hole along with the bulb then place the bulb with the biggest part down and the point of the bulb up.
Most bulbs come with fairly complete instructions on the package about the depth and the conditions you need to provide for the plant to flourish. Often the directions include a chart or drawing which makes it very clear to the new gardener.
It’s a good idea to put some fertilizer in the hole as you plant. Any hardware store or garden center will stock the general fertilizer you will want to give your bulbs a good nutritious start on their life in your garden.
Bulbs can be planted with a special tool which takes just the rights size plug out of the ground or with a standard trowel or shovel. The spot can be quite shady and can be in the middle of a lawn because in the spring the sun will warm the soil before the leaves come out on trees and the bulb in the lawn will come up and bloom before the grass is very tall. When it fades and you can mow over the spot with no worry for the bulb which is tucked in under the lawn.That is called naturalizing.
Bulbs can be layered also with several planted in one spot one above the other so that they bloom successively. They can also be put into pots and planters and even window boxes in the fall so that there is an early show which is movable and can be enjoyed wherever you decide to place it in the spring. The containers can be wintered over in any out of the way spot in your yard and moved in the spring to a showy spot to be enjoyed. They can even be brought in to the house for an early show of color or the flowers can be cut and displayed in a vase.
Sometimes people decide that after the plant has bloomed they don’t like the looks of the leaves which remain behind. If you feel that the leaves of your faded tulip or daffodil annoy you don’t cut them off. Either tie them in a knot so that they are a bit more inconspicuous or just leave them alone until they fade. You can plant something else in front of the fading leaves to mask it a bit if you want to distract the eyes of the viewer.The leaves do a special job of gathering the sunshine to nurture the hidden bulb.When the leaves have faded to brown and shriveled you can safely clip them and put them in the compost heap.
Whether you choose to plant in a carefully arranged flower garden,naturalize your bulbs by scattering them among your grass or pot them, bulbs can provide a beautiful spring show for a few dollars and a small amount of effort. Most bulbs will give you years of enjoyment and when they multiply you can give their offspring away to your family and friends so that they can share your pleasure.
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Oct
23
Posted under
Planting flower bulbs
One of the oldest hobbies known to man, gardening has withstood the test of time as a hobby. It is not only enjoyable but fruitful as well in more ways than one because plants actually bear fruits. You can grow your own flower and vegetables and even fruit. Gardening is a hobby which is easy and gives you exercise and exposure to sunlight as well.
If You Want To Grow Tomatoes
If you are starting out and want to grow tomatoes, remember that are easy plants to grow. As there are more than 25,000 varieties available, you will be able to find a variety which will be suitable for your soil and weather conditions. Tomatoes can he used a large number of recipes and can be used raw or cooked. It is a delight to watch tomatoes growing in your garden as you get to see tomatoes going from green to red before your eyes.
There are two ways to grow tomatoes. You can either buy the immature plants and plant them, or you can grow them from seeds. Just remember that if you are growing them from seed, you need to plant the seeds at least six to eight weeks before the last expected frost.
If you are growing them in your garden, you will need to prepare the soil, dig the holes an the plant the baby plants or the seeds. Even baby plants will need sunlight and warmth, so make sure that the location is such that it gets the sunlight. If you are a window sill or terrace gardener, you need to see that the fledgling plants get the warmth and water that they require
If You Want To Grow Flowers
Planting flower bulbs is fast, easy, and nearly foolproof. Even if you have no gardening experience you should be able to complete this with few to no problems. The first step is for you to prepare the planting bed. Then you use fertilizer, and plant the bulbs into holes.
There are lots of resources available on gardening, whether it is books or internet sites. You can get all the information you need for your gardening needs. Once you get into gardening you will meet other people with the same hobby and as your network grows you will get more tips and techniques to help hone your gardening skills.
How To Find Gardening Help
You will need gardening help whether you are a new at this hobby or a professional gardener. Sometimes you may just need a little organic gardening help, at other times you may need the help of a seasoned expert who can show you what you can. In any case, it is necessary to know where you can access the organic gardening help whenever you need it.
Finding The Information You Need
There are many resources that you will be able to access when you need gardening help. There are innumerable books on gardening available at your nearest library or book store and books will always be there for you to look up. They are among the really good sources of information for organic gardening help.
Among the really good and best selling gardening books are Gardening Basics for Canadians for Dummies by Liz Primeau, Canadian Gardening by Steven A. Frownie and The National Gardening Association. With the aid of these books, you will find out which are the best plants to grow for the area and climate that you live in, make sure that you are using ecologically friendly products, make your gardens really beautiful, whether you have an open landscaped garden or other types which the books will tell you about
The internet is an extremely friendly and informative resource which will help you with your gardening skills. Through the internet you can find any possible information that you are looking for in terms of gardening help. In no time at all you will be able to find solutions to any problems you may face with your gardening or any help that you may require with regard to organic gardening.
If you want to get even more savvy about gardening, there are courses and seminars that you can attend which will provide you with gardening help. As you will be able to ask questions one on one, you will be able to get professional guidance and help. You will also meet people with similar interests and while networking, you will find out even more gardening information which will be of help to you.
Gardening is not just a hobby which is rewarding and interesting, but it also helps you do your bit for the environment. You can use organic gardening to grow flowers, fruits and vegetables which will be of aesthetic value and also perhaps you can literally enjoy the fruits of your labor by eating the fruits and vegetables. Organic gardening may seem to be taking up a great deal of time, but it is not that difficult to do and the rewards are worth the time and labor that you put in.
Related Blogs
Aug
17
Posted under
Flower bulb care
So what are bulbs really all about? The following report includes some fascinating information about popular bulbs, info you can use, not just the old stuff they used to tell you.
Now that we’ve covered those aspects of popular bulbs, let’s turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.
Flowering bulbs are among the most popular of all ornamental plants, and they have enjoyed striking popularity for many years. Bulbs are renowned for their hardiness, color and variety, and there are enough types of bulbs to please even the most discriminating gardener.
With so many bulbs to choose from, it can be difficult to choose the right ones, so we present here a quick rundown of some of the most popular varieties of bulbs for the garden.
Crocus bulbs typically bloom in early spring or in late winter, and they feature tubular shaped flowers ranging in size from 1” to 3″ long. Crocuses come in a rainbow of colors, and they are a staple of many gardens. Other types of crocus, such as the saffron crocus, bloom instead in the fall, and the flowers can rise from the bare ground weeks, or even only days, after the bulbs are planted. It is important for crocus bulbs to be planted as soon as they become available in the fall. The best way to plant crocus bulbs is two to three inches deep, with a spacing of three or four inches between bulbs. Crocus bulbs should be planted in good quality soil with good drainage, and they should be provided with full sun or partial shade and watered regularly during their growing and blooming seasons.
Dahlias bloom from summer through fall, and they also come in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes. The size of dahlia flowers can range from two to twelve inches, and the height of the plants themselves can vary from just under a foot to more than seven feet for certain stake varieties. It is best to plant dahlias after the last frost of the spring, and the roots should be set between four and six inches deep. Tall dahlia varieties should be spaced four or five feet apart, while shorter ones can be spaced from one to one and a half feet apart.
Dahlias should have access to full sun, but in areas where the summers are very hot they may benefit from partial shade as well. It is important to observe a regular watering schedule during the bloom and growth cycles of the dahlia.
Dahlia bulbs can be left in the ground if the winter temperatures do not go below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but most gardeners prefer instead to dig the dahlia bulbs up at the end of each growing season. To do this, you should wait until the foliage has yellowed, then cut the stalks back to approximately four inches. The clumps of the roots should be permitted to dry in the sun a few hours, then placed in boxes in a single layer and covered up with either sawdust or dry sand. The bulbs should be stored in a cool dry place over the winter and replanted the following spring.
Galanthus Nivalis
The galanthus is more commonly known as the snowdrop, and it is one of the first plants to bloom at the end of the winter. These plants are typically six to eight inches in height, and they feature one bell shaped flower on each side of the stalk. Snowdrops are best suited for colder climates, and the bulbs are best planted in the autumn of the year. The bulbs should be planted from three to four inches deep and about three inches apart. Snowdrops typically do best in full sun or partial shade, and they like regular watering during their blooming and growing cycles.
Those who only know one or two facts about popular bulbs can be confused by misleading information. The best way to help those who are misled is to gently correct them with the truths you’re learning here.
Related Blogs
Jul
10
Posted under
Flower bulb care
When you think of any kind of gardening, the first thing that pops into your mind is flower gardening. Flowers and gardens being naturally synonymous with each other. And dedicated gardener that you are, youll naturally be doing your own flower gardening this year.
Flower gardening need not be limited only to summertime. If you plan carefully and plant ahead of time, your garden can be filled with an abundance of flowers for most of the year.
If we start by seasons, then for spring flowers, the best thing you could do would be to plant bulbs. Any nursery will have them, and if youre more inclined towards the exotic, and rarer flowering bulbs, theres a good chance you can have them ordered specially.
Favorites amongst bulb lovers are early springtime Crocuses, and cheerful Snowdrops. Tulips though, are by and away the most famous of bulbs in demand by flower gardeners, and are available in a variety of shades, including a black-colored one, which is really more of a deep maroon and one of those rare flowers I was talking about earlier.
Remember that all spring flowering bulbs should be planted in mid autumn, as this is the best time for them. Come any closer to winter and youre in danger of losing your bulbs altogether.
Moving through to summer, we find that perennials are a firm favorite for flower gardening as they yield blooms almost continuously throughout the season, and sometimes beyond. With a little luck and care, youll also find that most of your perennials will last through to next year, and the year after that, and, well you get the picture right? Youll also find that as the years and the seasons wear on, your perennials will become fuller, and generally will become more abundant than the first year you planted them.
As autumn gently closes in most flower gardens are left bereft of anything but a few small hardy plants. If you’re into more dedicated flower gardening however, that need not be the case for you. Hardy, drought resistant plants like Asters number among the many types of fall flowers available, and will look stunning in late summer/early fall, Generally, autumn plants will grow to a good 3-4 feet in height, and have vivid colors, as well as the more genteel pastel colors to choose from. Ornamental grasses are another favorite and will nicely complement your fall flowers.
To round off the year and your efforts at flower gardening, don’t despair as there are many winter blooms available. Amaryllis, Hyacinth, and Narcissus are a few of the more common known flowers and are available in bulb form. If you want something a little more out of the ordinary, you could always try Winter Jasmine, or Winter Honeysuckle.
So, take heart, take plenty of notes, plan, and buy to your heart’s content. By the end of it all you truly will have a flower for every season, and your flower gardening efforts will be rewarded most bountifully
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Jul
02
Posted under
Flower bulb care
Plants that have bulbs in their structure are considered among the easiest and nicest to multiply; if you start with just a little plant, in a year or two you’ll get so many flower bulbs that your garden will have a totally different look. Regardless of whether you see this as a form of investment and business opportunity or you simply love gardening for the sheer pleasure it offers, flower bulbs dividing should be truly rewarding.
Problems are inevitable when it comes to the uncontrolled division of flower bulbs; unless you’re ready to provide more room for the plants, you should keep a constant watch on how they keep extending. When too many bulbs appear on a plant, it’s high time you interfered and separated them, otherwise, they’ll stop flowering according to a regular pattern. One thing is for sure: you definitely don’t want that to happen!
Apparently, the most difficult way about flower bulbs division is actually recognizing which plants are undergoing this phenomenon. Any gardener basically knows the specificity of his or her plants: the time period when they use to flower, the intensity of the colors and the health status specific to a certain species. For plants with flower bulbs, a change in the flowering pattern is a clear sign that they are ready for division. And it is then that you need to take immediate action.
Make sure you leave enough room for all the flower bulbs to develop properly; this means that when you put them back in the ground they’ll able to multiply and make other flower bulbs in their turn. Sometimes, adding some fertilizer is often a good idea to ensure a proper development environment. At first glance, it seems that spring is the perfect time of the year to decide what to do with the flower bulbs; yet, though they are more easy to identify in spring, autumn is the ideal period for division.
In autumn, all the new flower bulbs are formed and ready for division; a separation at this time of the year would make your garden an even more wonderful place in spring when all the plants would be flowering in optimal conditions. In order to perform this operation, you’ll have to analyze plant growth and evolution over a longer period of time, throughout spring and summer, and even take notes of the various specificities you’ve noticed during the interval.
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