Bulbs

Q. After a few warm days, some of my bulbs are sprouting prematurely. Will this hurt the bulbs or future blooms?

Q: How do I take care of my amaryllis now that it’s bloomed?

Q.  When should I plant my tender annual bulbs?

Q: In the fall, I always have trouble remembering where I need to plant bulbs in my garden, and often find myself planting too close to existing ones. Any suggestions?

Q: I am storing summer bulbs for the first time — is there anything I need to do for them during the winter?

Q: I'd like to divide and store my Iris plants for the winter. What is the best way to do this?

Q: How do I protect my spring blooming bulbs from wildlife?

A: Squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and voles can wreak havoc on bulb beds. These animals prefer crocus and tulip bulbs, but will often dig and discard others. To discourage wildlife from digging and eating bulbs, place chicken wire over the planting area. Wire can be laid an inch or two below the soil surface or laid across the planting bed. Use large gauge wire for larger sized bulbs and smaller gauge wire for smaller bulbs.

Q. How and when should I divide my spring-blooming bulbs?

Q. I would like to plant varieties of tulips and daffodils this fall in addition to smaller bulbs. Any suggestions for planting techniques?

Q. Help! I never got around to planting my tulip bulbs this fall. Is there anything I can do to save them?

Q. I have ordered several hundred tulip bulbs for fall planting. Can I be assured of their return for many years?

Q. For the best spring flower display, when should I fertilize my tulip and daffodil bulbs?

A. To produce the maximum number of top-quality spring flowers, tulips and daffodils require care first in fall, at planting time, and then again in spring.

At both of these times, gardeners can enrich the soil by adding a couple of inches of organic compost as well as synthetic fertilizer.

Q. I have many varieties of Narcissus in my garden and some are not blooming as well as they used to. What can I do to help?

A. There are several reasons why flowering bulbs will produce foliage but few flowers:

Q. What are the small, round, black growths on my lilies?

Q: I have some tulip and daffodil bulbs left over from fall planting. How do I "force" them for indoor bloom?

Q. I am fascinated by the use of flowers in preparing certain food dishes. Are there some basic guidelines to follow when choosing the flowers?

Q. I added quite a few dahlias to my garden this year and they bloomed beautifully. Please advise on winter care.

Q. I would like to plant varieties of tulips and daffodils this fall in addition to smaller bulbs. Any suggestions for planting techniques?

Q. For the best spring flower display, when should I fertilize my tulip and daffodil bulbs?

A. To produce the maximum number of top-quality spring flowers, tulips and daffodils require care first in fall, at planting time, and then again in spring. At both of these times, gardeners can enrich the soil by adding a couple of inches of organic compost as well as synthetic fertilizer.

Q. I bought several small pots of flowering dwarf iris, crocus and mini-daffodils from the grocery store in February. What do I do with them after they flower?

Q. What is the correct fertilizer to use for bulbs?

A. If the bulbs are to be sited in slightly infertile soil, you might add some bulb booster or bone meal on top of the soil after planting. These products have a higher proportion of phosphorus, which is necessary for optimum root development. An alternative would be to sprinkle a 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 fertilizer around the site in spring as the leaves are emerging and then again in fall. Always water in granular fertilizers.

Q. I would like to grow some unusual bulbs in containers this summer. What are the basic guidelines to ensure good growth?

Q. I am looking for a colorful companion to some early-spring flowering bulbs. A friend suggested the low-growing anemone.

Q. I always look forward to giving and receiving plants of the holiday season. One plant I would like to keep year-round is the amaryllis. Please explain how to do this.

A. Many plants can have an extended life well beyond the holidays if they are given the appropriate care. Here are some helpful tips to keep your plant blooming.