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Bulbs, Tubers, and Roots
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Bulb Planting
The following are simple instructions to help you create a masterpiece in your
garden with a minimum amount of work, planning and effort. Enjoy!
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Chilling
Most spring-blooming bulbs do not need chilling. However, tulips and Hyacinths need to be
chilled for 8 weeks. For best results place bulbs in the refrigerator in a paper bag anytime between
October 1st and October 15th. Chill for eight weeks.
DO NOT RECHILL bulbs once you take them out of the
refrigerator. Plant bulbs that same day. Do not allow any bulb to
sit out in the hot sun while you are preparing soil and planting. REMEMBER: Temperature is the
main environmental factor that controls bulb growth and development.
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Soil Preparation
Bulbs need a loose, fast-draining soil. Amend existing soil with
Roger's Planting Mix to a depth of one foot. Mix in as much planting mix as necessary to create a light, well-drained soil. Add
1/4 cup Roger's Soil
Activator and mix in thoroughly to 1 sq. ft. of newly amended planting area.
In heavy clay soils, you will need to remove approximately
2/3 of existing soil and replace it
with Roger's Planting Mix. Combine both thoroughly to a depth of one foot.
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Fertilizing
Although bulbs naturally contain their first season's food supply, using a bulb food before
planting will help them to root faster. Once soil is amended and you are ready to plant, mix in one
rounded tablespoon of Roger's Soil
Activator fertilizer into each square foot of planter area. Be sure
to thoroughly mix fertilizer into soil.
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Planting Depth
Follow the bulb grower's recommended planting depth for each variety of bulb. This will insure
that you get the most from your bulb.
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Planting
Set bulbs point up (exception: Anemones and Ranunculus are planted toes down), and hand
press gently into soil. Make sure that bulbs are not touching. Cover bulbs with soil.
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Watering
Water slowly and thoroughly so that the water will reach the depth where the bulbs are sitting.
Like rainfall, give bulbs the equivalent of one inch of water a week. Once foliage appears and bulbs
are established, water deeply at least once a week.
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Second Fertilizing
Once bulbs are established and are showing lots of foliage —
before flowering — fertilize a
second time with Bulb Booster. Lightly cultivate one rounded tablespoon into the top
1/2 inch of soil. Water thoroughly. This fertilizing will enhance blooming.
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After Blooming
Some bulbs do well from year to year. However, Southern California bulb growers
recommend treating some bulbs as annuals.
If you do not want to try for a second year's bloom from your bulbs, and plan to treat them as
annual flowers, then dig bulbs up as soon as foliage begins to fade (after flowering).
If you do want to try for a second year's blooming from your bulbs, you must allow bulb
foliage to "die back" naturally.
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Allowing Bulbs to "Die Back"
When you want to save a bulb, it is very important to keep the leaves on the plant after flowering.
Fertilize a 3rd time right after blooming using 1 rounded tbsp. of
Roger's Soil Activator into each sq. ft. of planter space. At this time the leaves will be taking in food to store for the next
year's growth. When the plant has finished flowering, continue to water. When the foliage begins to
fade, ease off on watering and then stop completely. The brown leaves can be taken off when they
are at the stage where they lift away from the bulb easily, like tissue paper. The bulbs will then be
starting their dormant (rest) period. At this point, you have two choices when you want bulbs to bloom
the next year. You can naturalize — leave the bulbs in the ground, or you can dig up the bulbs and
store them until next fall.
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Bulbs that Naturalize Well
Babiana, Bearded Iris, Brodiaea, Daffodil, Freesia, Ixia, Leucojum, Lycoris, Narcissus,
Ornithogalum, Oxalis, Scilla peruviana, praxis, Tritelia, Tritonia, Watsonia.
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Storage
If you will be storing your bulbs, you will need to dig them up and clean off all dirt and debris.
Dust bulbs with a fungicide such as Cooke's Tomato
Dust. Store in paper bags in a cool, dry
location where they will be protected from heat and moisture.
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