How to fertilize bulbs in pots

10 years ago

Hello!

I searched but didn't see this covered.

I have a bunch of leftover bulbs which haven't flowered in ages, and I finally got around to separating and replanting them. They are all growing now, 2 inch leaves or so. (Long story, it rained.)

I have dry bulb fertilizer and would like suggestions.

a) it is better to scratch in the fertilizer? These are in small pots and I just put them in a couple weeks ago. Should I dig them up and mix in the fertilizer at root level? Or, just scratch it in? Someone said something about transplant shock, but otoh, other people say the _____? takes a long time to get to the roots? What to do? (The box is in my friend's garage, so I'm not sure what kind, just organic and for bulbs.)

b) how much should I use? The bulbs vary in size and variety but most are small, and in maybe a 5 inch pot. I don't want to burn the little fellers. (Some freesia, some hyacinth, some daff, and soon maybe some tulips.)

Thanks!!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

vetivert8
10 years ago
Hmm. Organic. Worm casts? Dried blood? Blood and bone? Seaweed meal or alfalfa meal?

If you planted into 'regular' potting mix it probably already has slow-release fertiliser already included. Check the label for something saying - slow release - good for three months (or more). If that's there - you can leave them be.

If there's nothing on the label then you can tip out your little sprouting bulbs, mix the potting media with about a tablespoon of what you want to add - and repot, remembering to water them in to settle them back in the soil.

If you sprinkle your additive on the top to let the rain wash it down through the media - keep it away from the stems and check to see that it hasn't caked on the top like a skin. You'll have to break it so air and water get through.

Worm casts and seaweed meal you could probably mix with water and apply as a liquid manure. About the colour of weak tea, please. And you can repeat every two weeks or so.

When you find the daffodil bulbs leering at you from the bottom of the pots (they will!) then you could add the fertiliser to the fresh mix for potting them on to more luxurious accommodation (bigger pot or bucket).

All of them would be pleased by a dose of commercial tomato food - liquid, for preference, before and after flowering ,but not while in flower. Helps them set their buds for the season ahead.

If your bulbs were hungry last growing year then it is likely they won't have set buds. Just greenery for this year while they make up for lost time. Not 'dud' - just not ready to go.
Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks!!!

It is one of those boxed mixes, and I don't remember the brand. (I should be able to check soon though.)

I am just afraid of burning them, since I don't really know what it is made of, although I remember the "organic" part. Maybe I will do a little of both. I have many of them in pretty small pots.

And you're right, I'm not expecting blooms for a couple years I suppose. I still don't know what I did wrong the first year, unless I was supposed to chill them ("Cheerfulness"), but they were definitely crowded and not fed enough after that. Fortunately the foliage looks nice too.

Thanks again!
Related Discussions
I was given a potted hyacinth. How to re-use bulbs next Spring?
Q
Comments (8)
Whatever you do do not cut off the green leaves! Those are busy building the bulb up for next year. They need to be allowed to die off naturally. When the flower is over either replant in a pot or put into the ground outside. There is no need to store them until Autumn, just plant them straight away.The blooms are not usually as full after forcing so I would go for planting in the ground rather than in a container and buy fresh new bulbs for your pot. All the hyacinths in my tiny garden started as indoor forced blooms.
...See More
Planting bulbs in pots - how deep?
Q
Comments (3)
Hi I planted tulips in pots last winter, and they did really well--I put them in about half way down in a large pot. I used the black plastic pots that shrubs come in, and put about 8 bulbs in a pot. I buried these plastic pots in my garden--just dug a hole, put them in, and covered them a little. They did very well--I dug them up in the spring when they began to sprout. I used them for a spring display in my large outside containers at the front door (burying the bottoms slightly in the containers, as roots had started to emmerge out of the pots. I put other early leafing perennials around them, for greenery, then dug the whole thing up and moved everything, for my summer annuals. I also have done bulbs for forcing inside--I take a pot, and generally put the bulbs just an inch or two under the surface of the soil, water well, and keep them in my unheated garage, then in very cold (subzero) weather, put them in an unheated basement. When they start to sprout, I gradually move them into the house, usually in March. I have done smaller bubs in pots, as well, at a depth of a couple of inches, and have kept them in the unheated garage all winter--as they were going to be part of the outside display, I wanted them kept frozen until spring. The only thing that has NOT worked for me, is putting any kind of bulbs in containers outside, that are NOT buried in the ground, to winter over. The bulbs don't survive that here, perhaps because it is too cold, or the temperature fluctuates too much. Hope this helps. . . Epona
...See More
Hardy Lily Bulbs in pot--how to overwinter in zone 4?
Q
Comments (3)
Orientals, asiatics, regals, aurelias, and martagons will all flower with the few frosts we get in z9a so sustained chill may not be required. It can be a real nuisance to have a late frost on the regals which knock back the buds and turn 'Christmas lilies' into great leaves, no buds. So long as your holding bed doesn't turn into a spring ephemeral swamp, I'd agree they're better in the ground. Just be aware that those basal roots start into action earlier than you might like. They will need deep-enough pots, perhaps six or more inches down. You can always pot on in spring - taking great care to guard the emerging shoots.
...See More
how do I fertilize after using Miracle Grow potting mix?
Q
Comments (6)
Fertilizing a medium that allows you to water freely to beyond the point where your soil is completely saturated (so you're 'flushing' the soil when you water) without having to worry the soil will remain soggy for extended periods, is very different, less complicated, and more forgiving of grower error, than soils you have to fight tooth and nail for control over your plants vitality (health). To illustrate how stark the difference is, I can describe or prescribe a very easy, flexible, and extremely effective fertilizing plan in a paragraph or two if I know you're using a medium that allows you to water correctly. I can take a little longer and describe to you how to deal with excessive water retention, at least to the degree that it allows you to fertilize effectively. If you are limited in your ability to water correctly, and aren't taking steps to foil your soil's tendency to hold excessive amounts of water, no one can offer meaningful advice on how to approach nutritional supplementation without producing a tome full of qualifying comments to cover the myriad combinations of issues likely to affect how much of their potential your plants can realize. Leibig's Law of the Minimum states that the nutritional or cultural influence that is most lacking is what is limiting your plant. It could be a nutrient, temperature, light levels, insects ......... A very large fraction of growers are limited by their soil choice and watering habits. There are soils that are good, better, and nearly best, all of which allow the grower to water correctly. If you remain interested in plants, my best advice would be to learn how to make your soil work for you, instead at cross purposes with your intentions. It will make a world of difference in how quickly you progress in the hobby. This Basic Overview might be of interest. Al
...See More

How to fertilize bulbs in pots

Comments (2)

vetivert8

Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
Original Author

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

How to fertilize bulbs in pots

Comments (2)

vetivert8

Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)Original Author

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
Original Author