Show Date: 31 Aug 10
My email box is inundated with offers of gorgeous bulbs for Fall planting.  Oh what to choose!! 

Bulbs - tulips in great shape

I always suggest you buy locally first!  If you can’t find what you’re looking for there are a number of reputable online companies.  Check out my favorite links to find them…

When you get your bulbs check for weak, mushy spots.  If they arrive that way, contact the company immediately.  You should be able to exchange them.  If you can’t,  never order from them again!

If there’s a little bit of surface mold, that’s okay, just wipe it off.  By the way, people often lump together a number of other roots in the “Bulbs” category.  Those would be rhizomes, corms and tubers.  They are planted at different levels.  For a ton of information on how to plant those “Bulbs” check out:  Bulb Basics [University of Illinois Extension]

Show Date: 8 Jul 10
A resounding YES.  You can plant Autumn crocuses now.  You can also plant spring flowering bulbs in areas where you’ve got newly planted shrubs or perennials to add a little spring color while the other plants are small.

Autumn Crocus

Gladiolas will be making an appearance in August.  Cut them for fresh flowers.  Cut at the base of the stem with a sharp knife when the buds are just ready to open and place in a bucket of warm water in a cool location to harden off.   They’re ready for indoor brightening!

Show Date: 8 Mar 10
A bulb is an underground storage unit and the term bulb is used loosely to include rhizomes, corms and tubers. 

Bulbs, Rhizomes, Corms and Tubers [University of Minnesota]

Gladiolus Corm

 Bulbs and More [University of Illinois Extension]

Show Date: 1 Sep 09

Seems like everyone is sending me their online catalogs to view those beautiful bulbs for Fall planting!

Breck's bulb catalog

I want them all!

If you order, check your order immediately.  The bulbs, rhizomes and corms should be firm with no mushy spots and no bad odor.  A little surface mold should not be a problem. 

If you detect problems, call the company right away.  Any reputable nursery will exchange them.

Show Date: 09 Jul 09

If you’ve planted a new shrub or perennial bed, consider planting some bulbs for Spring and Fall bloom. Plant Autumn crocuses as soon as they’re available. Colchicums add color to the Fall also.

You’ll need to stake your gladiolas and dahlias about now. Be careful not to stab the bulb! For large flowers on Dahlias, pinch off the side buds. To harvest flowers for indoor use, use a sharp knife to cut at the base of the stem just as the bud is starting to open.

Show Sate: 19 May 09

Caladiums cause you to pause!

Fanny munson caladium

Frieda hemple caladium

White Christmas caladium

Give them moist, partial shade and warm soil. That’s the ticket to good production. Choose now, plant in another week giving the soil a chance to warm up a bit more. Fill the hole with peat moss to fluff the soil and add a little acid. Plant tubers knobby-side-up about 2-inches deep and 8- to 12-inches apart.

Another bulb is the Elephant Ear. There are several varieties, the Lime Zinger has 2 foot long chartreuse leaves on a plant that grows 3- to 5-feet tall and 4- to 5-feet wide.

Lime zinger elephant ear

What a dramatic background for caladiums!