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Rcpt: Re: bulbs

The following message has been read.

Heather,

Although this reply comes from the eastern side of the Atlantic, I'm sure 

that bulbs behave the same way wherever.  I grow them in the garden here 
in the relatively mild (?=USDA zone 8/9) suburbs of south London, but 
also South African and South American tropical bulbs in my heated 
greenhouse, which is kept at a minimum of 10oC (=50oF).

I've just returned from a business trip to Greece, where the bulbs are in 

full flower on the mountains at the moment.  No-one looks after them 
there, and they certainly come up again every year.  All bulbs will come 
up again next year and, hopefully, multiply, if they get the conditions 
that they are used to getting in their natural habitat.  If they don't 
get what they like, they will either gradually dwindle away, or rapidly 
rot away or, when I go away on business, and my wife forgets to open the 
greenhouse, they will cook!

To best look after your bulbs, you need to know something about the 
climate in the areas where they come from; tulips come from areas with 
hot dry summers, so are best dug up out of a window box if it is going to 

be watered through the summer for other plants.  Narcissus and snowdrops 
generally come from areas that are a lot wetter in summer, and only have 
a very short natural period without roots; they will be happier if left 
in the window boxes.  For less usual, and trickier, bulbs you have to do 
the best you can to match their natural climate.

Hope this is some help - I'd be delighted to hear from others with a 
particular interest in bulbs.

From:	Paul Chapman - London, England - pc1@mm-croy.mottmac.com
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