Return to the Balcony Gardening Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Problem with crocus
| | |
Posted by elbereth (My Page) on Tue, Jun 17, 08 at 15:08
| I was forcing the crocus 'Pickwick' for this spring outside on the balcony. They were planted 2 to 3 inches deep, above my tulip bulbs in big pots. Only one bulb flowered this spring, and the rest just sent up leaves that died very soon. When I inspected them I found that none of them had a lot of roots, but I don't think it was because they weren't chilled long enough - the tulips had plenty of roots. The soil may have been too heavy for them. I discarded the rotten bulbs and cleaned the rest. What should I do with them now? Should I replant them or store them for the winter? And what should I do with the little bulblets that grew around the bigger bulbs? Any help would be appreciated. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Problem with crocus
| | |
| The bulbs may have been babies when first planted and not ready to bloom. I would replant and let them try again next year. They should continue to form roots for the rest of the season. Next season, whether they bloom or not, they will hopefully still produce foliage which should be allowed to die down naturally, as that will help increase the bulb size for the next season. You can leave the little bulblets as that is how they naturalize to give you new adult bulbs in a few years. In general, you should try to have them in friable, loose, and free-draining soil (not heavy) to help ensure that the bulbs won't rot. Seems the tiny bulbs tend to rot more easily. |
RE: Problem with crocus
| | |
| Thanks for your help! Elbereth |
RE: Problem with crocus
| | |
| Good luck! I like to try to plant early bloomers like crocuses so that I can have something out there to remind me that spring is on the way! I am considering getting some snow drops to plant for next year. |
|
|
|
|
