What are the appropriate planting locations?
The bulbs are planted in sunny or semi-shady places in the garden as the plants need enough sunshine to give us their rich flowering. The positions must be protected from strong winds with south or west orientation.
Care of bulbous plants.
Planting
The rule is that the planting depth is twice or three times the diameter of the bulb. In light, sandy soils the planting is done deeper in contrast to the clay soils that are done at a shallower depth. Plant with the "nose" of the bulb facing up and the roots down.
Caution!!
If the bulbs are planted too deep, they will not grow fast at all. If planted superficially, it will grow earlier than their season and there is a risk of damage.
After planting, cover with soil and water lightly, so that their soil is moist.
Watering
Avoid over-watering the bulbs, as there is a risk that they will not germinate and eventually rot. After the development of the first leaves, it is good to water once a week, while in summer twice a week. In spring and autumn once a week.
After flowering, it is important to continue watering the bulbs until the leaves fall. Because the leaves collect energy and store it in the bulb to be used during the next flowering year.
Fertilizer
Bulbous plants have abundant storage substances but need fertilization with a complete granular fertilizer, which contributes to their better growth and richer flowering. It is added to the soil during the planting of bulbous plants, but also during the cultivation. It needs fertilizer during the development of the first leaves but also during the growth of the flowers.
Caution!!
Excessive fertilization can cause reduced flowering and rot of the bulb.
Preservation of bulbs
- As soon as the flower falls and the leaves of the bulbous plants dry, we stop watering and gradually remove them from the soil.
- We clean them by removing the soil and place them in a shady spot with good ventilation.
- Store the bulbs in cardboard boxes with small holes so that moisture is not retained inside the box and the bulbs germinate.
You can also leave the bulbs in the place where you planted them either in the garden or in the pot. But you should not water them !!
Enemies and Diseases
Bulbous plants face serious problems of infestation by enemies and diseases.
The most common diseases are soil fungal infestations, which cause bulb rot and plant destruction. These fungi infect the bulbs, the periods when there is intense soil moisture, due to the prevailing conditions or due to excessive watering. Digging the soil can reduce the chance of infection, due to the surface reduction of moisture.
The most important enemies that affect bulbous plants are:
- aphids, which feed by sucking sap from the shoots during the growing season.
- thrips, which infect the leaves and cause yellowing of the leaves and bleaching of the petals on the flowers.
- the onion eater that infects the plant at the point of the neck.
