Non-blooming Scilla peruviana.

14 years ago

Last winter I inherited a pot full of scrawny Scilla peruviana bulbs. Because they were already in full foliage, I decided not to transplant them then, but I fed them and kept them in full sun until they went dormant for the summer. They never bloomed this spring, but the foliage became very lush, and the bulbs grew to 15+ cm in circumference. On the other hand, the bulbs were so numerous and crowded they were fit to bust the pot, and flowing over the top!

Late this summer, I dug them out and divided them. They came apart into groups of 4-5 bulbs, held together with thick, woody rhizomes. I planted each group 2 inches deep in a 10 in. pot. They are up for about a month now, and healthy as hogs.

My main questions are: what else can I do to encourage bloom this year, and about when should I expect that bloom?

Thanks for the advice,

Kevin : )

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Comments (8)

iris_gal
14 years ago
If I recall correctly my old S.peruviana took 2-3 years to bloom in the ground.

As to fertilizer, only low nitrogen. Sunset says May bloom.

The only other thing I can think of is to allow the foliage to yellow before removing. It is unsightly during this time but don't remove it too early.
tugbrethil
Original Author
14 years ago
2-3 years, huh? Grumph! Oh well, good things come to those who wait. I wonder how those pots of blooming scilla in the nursery were grown?

I'll switch to a rose food or such-like this year, and see how it does. I was assuming the Sunset date was for the coast.

I also routinely allow the foliage on my bulbs to dry completely before removing, having learned that the hard way 30 years ago! Last year it was July before I took off the leaves.

Thanks, iris gal!
Kevin : )
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Hi! I bought one of these last spring, in bloom. They're wonderful, aren't they! I kept mine indoors until it had stopped blooming, and then when it was done, I planted it outside on my front porch. (I'm a container gardener because I live in a townhouse). The pot I had it in contains a red abutilon, a 'blue barlow' aquiligia, and some lily of the valley, so it's in shade. I thought it would be okay in shade, because that's how it was when I bought it at the nursery, but it hasn't bloomed for me again yet. I've got lots of leaves, but no buds yet. And the leaves are really long and strappy, not short and pineapple-like when I bought it, so I'm pretty sure I need to move it into more sun. That's my experience; hope you can take something from it! Amanda 'romando'
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DLG, I buy lots of stuff from lots of places (plus I do a TON of plant swaps too). I buy a lot of semi-tropical bulbs from McClure and Zimmerman, plus Berridge Nursery too (they usually have nice fat Scillas). Hit Baker Nursery often too in Central Phoenix, and I am not above hitting Home Depot and Lowes too (I'm not above ANYTHING when it comes to gardening, except stealing). I order a lot of plants from Select Seeds (great website adn catalog), and I experiment a bit with Annie's Annuals. I order tons of seeds from Thompson and Morgan and from JL Hudson Seedsman (fun catalog, no pics), I like High Country Gardens too, and I'm an addict of Plant Delights Nursery too. I hit Orange County, CA and L.A. a lot too and get lots of goodies there (Roger's Gardens in Irvine, Mimmosa Nursery in Buena Park/Anaheim, CA Cactus Center, etc). Ebay.com often has interesting plants and seeds for sale too. I guess when it comes to plants I'm an omnivore, LOL. Take care all, Grant
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I've planted it and it does come back and bloom, but it doesn't multiply as well as grape hyacinths. Probably a little too warm. English bluebell, which is another scilla, does well here and multiplies freely and scilla peruviana is stunning and does well in the right situ here as well.
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Hi ninecrow - here is an old thread you might find helpful: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/non-blooming-scilla-peruviana-dsvw-vd~1385331?n=7 If you search "scilla" in bulbs there are multiple older posts on keeping your bulb in pots. Sorry couldn't give personal experience!
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vetivert8
14 years ago
If you have room in the garden you could plant them out. They are definitely hardy in zone 9.

According to one source, each bulb needs a year's rest after flowering.

Fully agree about the low nitrogen feeding. And well-drained soil. Morning sun. Patience...;-)
tugbrethil
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks again, iris gal! : ])

Right now, I'm still prowling around, looking for a spot with morning sun and not too much water in the summer for one of the pots. The rest of them are going to be inflicted on my friends and neighbors as soon as they bloom--they're not likely to appreciate them otherwise! They already view me like the guy who has a big lemon tree, or 200 sq. ft. of zucchini plants in his back yard: "Oh, no! He's carrying a bag again!"

I may eventually wind up on the exchanges with some of my stuff, as soon as I can figure out this on-line security hooraw.

Kevin : )
tugbrethil
Original Author
14 years ago
Sorry, vetivert8!! I don't know why I confused your reply with iris gal! Strictly an early-morning-fuzzy-brain type of mistake. I'll have to remember to double check in the future.

Every day in every way, I'm getting better and better! [twitch, twitch]
Kevin : ]
vetivert8
14 years ago
I am soooo wounded! ;-))))))) (lol)
ninecrow
6 years ago
Hi Guys
I KNOW This an Old Thread But I've Just Bought a Pot of These Bulbs...
I'm Hoping That They Can Stay in a Pot {I'm In a Flat} On a Windowsill For Now As I'm Hoping That I'll Be Able To Have a Couple of Raised Pots Outside My Window To Keep Them In....
But Just Thinking About That Are They Going To Be Hardy Enough For {UK} Middle England?
Thanks All
HU-867424741
2 years ago
Hi, igrew these in my farm garden in south deast new south wales. Winter temps minus 6c. Never lifted except to thin them out.. they thrived. I started with three bulbs, have given away hundreds. Same story with the pineapple lilys

Non-blooming Scilla peruviana.

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iris_gal

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Non-blooming Scilla peruviana.

Comments (8)

iris_gal

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