Spring bulbs already sprouting - planted too shallow?!
|
Author |
Message |
greengiant Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree


Joined: 27 Mar 2009 Posts: 71 Location: Co. Kildare
|
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 2:44 pm Post subject: Spring bulbs already sprouting - planted too shallow?! |
|
|
Hi
I'd be most grateful if someone can give me some advice on the following. Just a few weeks ago I planted a number of bulbs - Tulip, Crocus, Dwarf Daff and Iris - for Spring flowering (mostly in containers) and I'm alarmed to see that they're already sprouting (pretty much all of them)! I planted them to the depths advised on the packets, but I'll assume that they're still planted too shallow.
Is it possible to save them, e.g. is it just a case of throwing more compost over them or should I take them back up and replant them? I'm really eager for them to flower successfully, not least because I put a lot of time into their planting!
Though it's probably not necessary, I've included a couple of photos in case it assists with any replies. Thanks in advance!
Description: |
|
Filesize: |
190.34 KB |
Viewed: |
19192 Time(s) |

|
Description: |
|
Filesize: |
176.77 KB |
Viewed: |
19191 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
michael brenock Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 1275 Location: cork
|
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
the planting depth should be measured from the top of the bulb.the top of the bulb is visible in one of the pictures. The sprouting of the bulbs is influenced by temperature. The temperature is too high at the depth that they are planted and they will flower earlier. Cover the bulbs with more compost and put in a cooler place. The roots have to develop first before the flowering shoot emerges.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Protein Rank attained: Ash Tree


Joined: 05 May 2009 Posts: 240 Location: Clare
|
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Mind me asking, but I have also noticed my daffodils set in the lawn are also sprouting (much like pictures) - is it a bit early for dafs too?
Presumably, there is little I can do as the bulbs are planted in the lawn, and cannot stack compost on top?
me
_________________ "But no one puts flowers
On a flower's grave" - T Waits |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
greengiant Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree


Joined: 27 Mar 2009 Posts: 71 Location: Co. Kildare
|
Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the advice Michael; I've covered them with compost so I'll hope for the best
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
frengers80 Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree

Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 58 Location: DUBLIN
|
Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 10:13 pm Post subject: re bulbs |
|
|
hi,i wouldnt be to worried,nature has a great way of working this all out naturally,recent warm spell just brought them on a little earlier.i was out planting daff bulbs yesterday and noticed established bulbs poking their heads up,weird!!!I remember one year planting daffs in april,some flowered in june i think and the following year done so as normal!!so relax
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
greengiant Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree


Joined: 27 Mar 2009 Posts: 71 Location: Co. Kildare
|
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks frengers80. Wish I'd read your poat a few minutes earlier though as, in a fit of frustration, I've just taken up the sprouting bulbs (they sprouted again after topping up the compost) & replanted them deeper! Anyway, I hope I haven't jeopardised their chances of coming up in the Spring...
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Garlicbreath Rank attained: Silver Birch Tree


Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 181 Location: Wexford
|
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 3:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi greengiant, I wouldn't worry too much. The worst that can happen is that they may flower too early! Although you can see the shoots now if we get a cold spell the growth will just stop dead and then restart when it gets warmer again. The roots will keep developing and that's the important bit for a good show of flowers. I read somewhere once that bulbs will actually push themselves further down if they're planted too shallowly. I don't know if that's true or not
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
frengers80 Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree

Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 58 Location: DUBLIN
|
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:26 pm Post subject: re bulbs |
|
|
hi,i work in a school an most years the junior school kids "plant "mixed bulbs,they normally just cover them with a skim of soil,we get everything from tulips,daffs,muscari etc and they all grow away fine.daffs do seem to have moved away from the suface,like magic!!!!I planted over a thousand daffs this week,feeling proud of myself,all at the correct depth i might add,should be a nice display next spring,cant wait!!
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
greengiant Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree


Joined: 27 Mar 2009 Posts: 71 Location: Co. Kildare
|
Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 12:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Way to go frengers80!
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
frengers80 Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree

Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 58 Location: DUBLIN
|
Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:21 pm Post subject: re bulbs |
|
|
must say a big thank you to the wonderful people in lidl,5kgs of top quality bulbs for 7euro top value!!!!I discovered another online bulb seller www.peternyssen.com seems to be pretty good value,well worth checking out.
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You can attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2006 - present IrishGardeners.com (part of GardenPlansIreland.com)
|