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bulbs outside in container
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Posted by cecilsgarden z5 swPA (My Page) on Wed, Sep 7, 05 at 8:58
| A friend of mine wants to plant some tulips or someting in a container now and leave outside over winter to bloom in spring. Is this possible in PA? CECIL |
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RE: bulbs outside in container
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- Posted by tapla z5b-6a MI (My Page) on
Wed, Sep 7, 05 at 15:04
| There might be a few bulbs that can withstand actual sub-teen temperatures, but they would be few. Temperate bulbs, however, do need a period of chilling to grow and bloom with vigor. Temperatures between 32 - 45* F. are ideal to fulfill the need for chilling. If you bury & mulch the containers, you would be fine because of the earth's geothermal moderation of soil temperatures. To leave the bulbs in an unprotected container would surely cause (most of) them to freeze & rot. I have had good results preparing and planting containers in Nov & leaving them on the garage floor (unheated) over winter with only a handful of snow now & then to keep the soil from drying completely. After an adequate period of stratification, usually 6-14 weeks, depending on the plant material, the bulbs are ready to grow when you bring them indoors or as outdoor temperatures naturally warm in spring. Al |
RE: bulbs outside in container
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- Posted by TACHE 8 oregon (My Page) on
Wed, Sep 7, 05 at 17:50
| I haven't kept very good records of what i've done but several years ago I decided to treat bulbs as annuals because I was tired of dealing with the wilting foliage all summer. I leave them outside until there is a warning of a hard freeze and then I drag them in until it is past (if I remember). I have not done it with any thing exotic. Tulips, daffa,hyacinth, crocus. I'v been very haphazard about it and I live in a fairly temperate climate. It works fine. When I start getting desperate in the spring for blooming plants I haul them in. |
RE: bulbs outside in container
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| I've tried for several years to do this. The only tulip that ever did well (very very well) for me was Daydream. I had them in a large plastic pot in the garage for the winter. I think the winter was pretty mild, only a handful of below zero nights. Daffodils do much better for me. This winter I'll be trying some drumstick allium. Wish me luck! |
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