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What to do with winter growth in the springtime?

17 years ago

If a bulb has already started (some daffs and dutch irises have 3 to four leaves up) then what do you do with that bulb in the spring? I have tried just leaving them and they tend to get brown and rotten at thaw time... usually those bulbs won't bloom again. Any suggestions?

Thanks

George

Comments (5)

katob Z6ish, NE Pa
17 years ago
Are they in containers? I have that problem with bulbs planted in pots outside. It's very frustrating because they look great all winter until it's time for them to grow in the spring..... they you discover the bulb is mushy and the little leaves just pull right up out of the ground.
I think it's due to drainage problems over the winter. If water or melting snow settles down around the sprouts and then re-freezes it ends up killing the bulbs.
gee_oh_nyc
Original Author
17 years ago
My problem is with bulbs that are in the ground as well. One year it was because the mulch around them was wet. I don't think I have ever goten a bloom from a bulb that sends up leaves in the fall. What am I doing wrong? Anyone know? Should these leaves be cut at the time of the thaw? will it send up new shoots if I cut it?
Any and all replies appreciated.
Thanks
George
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bebe138
17 years ago
I had the same thing happen to some freesia and crocus. I left to visit family on the 20th Dec. came back on the 30th and there are leaves coming up. I don't know if it will snow here this year, the weather in Memphis is woefully unpredictable. I really would like to keep these bulbs from rotting. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
17 years ago
My experience has been that only the tips of the leaves will turn brown, and quite unnoticeable once the bud opens to a beautiful bloom. I've never lost any hardy bulbs because they were fooled some and came up late fall instead of waiting until early spring.

I would imagine they would do best in the ground as Kato says, due to possible drainage problems. I would also think that they would possibly have a lot of freeze and thaws if not planted.

Sue
vetivert8
17 years ago
For the freesias - it's not 'elegant' but using a cloche or plastic tunnel to keep off the rain and unexpected frosts can be useful, particulary for the large-flowered coloured varieties. (The cream hardies will probably be fine.) A silty soil suits them very well. Excellent drainage really helps - and a good baking in autumn.

Dutch irises do well at the foot of deciduous trees where the roots improve the drainage and they get well-dried over the summer-autumn. We had a damp summer last year and the flower quality this year was really poor.

Most of the bulbs mentioned appreciate very good drainage. About the only Narcissus I know to do well in soggy conditions are the 'Erlicheer' ones with green rather than blue-green leaves whose leaves start before all the others and are still hanging on in the middle of summer. They dig down deeply, are happy in cluggy clay, and like being left alone for years to multiply. The others prefer 'lighter' soils - even shingly. Perhaps if you amended your drainage there could be an improvement in survival of cold/damp spells.

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