success with bulbs! by linda landrum regional specialized agent north florida research and education...

Success with Bulbs!

Success with Bulbs!

ByLinda Landrum

Regional Specialized AgentNorth Florida Research and Education Center -

Suwannee Valley

Exactly what is a bulb?

Plants with thickened underground storage organs enabling them to survive hostile growing conditions

The different types of bulbs are:

True bulb–Tunic

Amaryllis

–Non-tunicate Lilies

The different types of bulbs are:

Corm Gladiolus

Crocosmia

The different types of bulbs are:

Tuber Caladium

The different types of bulbs are:

Tuberous roots Dahlias

The different types of bulbs are:

Rhizomes Iris

Ginger

When Choosing Bulbs, Look for:

When Choosing Bulbs, Look for:

Few or no pest problems Suited to most soil types, wet or dry Persistent; either evergreen or comes

back with “enthusiasm” after winter Adapted to USDA hardiness zone 9

and AHS heat zone 9 Relatively easy to locate

When Choosing Bulbs, Look for:

When Choosing Bulbs, Look for:

Long season of color; either blooms, colorful foliage or other features such as berries or seed pods

Little or no maintenance required Moderately spreading and easily

propagated Despite what you do, they still survive !

When selecting:

Consider–Lighting

–Soil type

–Cost

–Does it need to be evergreen?

When selecting:

How will the plant be used?–Massed bedding for color

–Adding a tropical look

–Vine for accent

–To attract butterflies and birds

–For cut flowers and foliage

Getting Started

Select the appropriate plantDetermine the number of

plants needed depending on spacing

Check plants for healthy roots and firm bulbs

Getting Started Enrich the soil

-Add as much organic debris as possible

-Add 1 ½ lbs of fertilizer per 100 sq. feet

1-2-2 ratio for flowering

2-1-2 ratio for foliage Adjust the pH Place bulbs in drifts, not rows Plant at proper depth, water and mulch

Once Planted Fertilize once or twice during growing

season Water to maintain even moisture

– Water shortage during growth periods could be deadly to the plant

Remove spent blooms before seeds are produced

Once Planted Be watchful for insect and disease

problems– Correct quickly when spotted

Digging and resetting bulbs may be necessary depending on the type

ENJOY!

Some of Some of MyMy

FavoritesFavorites

Achimenes

AfricanAfrican HostaHosta

Agapanthus

Alocasia, Colocasia

& Xanthosoma

Alpinia

Blackberry LilyBlackberry Lily

Caladium

Canna

Crinum

DianellaDianellaDianellaDianella

Gloriosa

Hymenocallis

IrisIrisIrisIris

Moraea

(Dietes)

Tulbaghia

Zephranthes

Thank You

For more information visit the Small Farms web at http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu

Take a virtual field day tour by visiting the Virtual Field Day web at http://vfd.ifas.ufl.edu

This presentation brought to you by the

Small Farms/Alternative Enterprises Focus Team.