Bulbs in Bloom

When you hear the word, “bulb” in the gardening spectrum, it most often conjures up images of that delicate little amaryllis that your neighbor gave you as a gift last Christmas (and eventually became compost a month later). Bulbs make up an entire solar system in the gardening galaxy, encompassing flowers and plants of all shapes and sizes. They are also relatively easy to grow and can be a fun and fascinating project for kids and adults alike.

For the novice gardener, the bulb section of the nursery is often overlooked in a bee line for the potted shrubs and flats of flowering annuals. But bulbs can be a very rewarding gardening projects—indoors and out.

About the Bulb
Bulbs vary from tender to hardy, summer-blooming to winter-blooming, cold conditions to hot. The one common element of all bulbs is that they have a blooming schedule and require a rest period before they sprout. The trick is knowing their schedule and sticking to it. Most bulbs will tell you when they are ready to bloom, just look for the tell-tale signs of green shoots sprouting from their tips (kind of like that garlic clove that you left in the fridge). The next time you are in your local nursery, check out the bulbs. Inquire about the different types and pick up some that look ripe and ready. It’s an easy way to create a pretty indoor potted plant.

Planting Your Bulb
When you bring home the bulbs, you may be faced with that age-old question, “which end is up?” All bulbs prefer that their growing tips face upwards (not very demanding, I know). But it’s not always easy to tell which tip that is. To find the top, check for round, crater-like marking where the stem once sprouted. The bottom should have spiny pieces of root growth. When in doubt, toss it in and say a prayer. Remember not to plant them too deeply; just below the soil is usually optimum.

Finding the Perfect Soil
Your local nursery could probably tell you what type of soil your particular bulb prefers. But for the most part, a good guess would be a typical potting soil with a little bit of sand mixed in to provide proper drainage. Make sure there is a hole in the bottom of the plant for excess water to drain out. Most bulbs prefer to be under- rather than over-watered, so err on the dry side.

Caring for Your Bulb
Leave the pot in indirect sun until sprouts appear, then you can let the light shine! Most tender bulbs prefer lots of light, such as a bright window. But keep in mind that light requirements vary from bulb to bulb. Some may be pleased with your kitchen window while others want your front porch. Again, ask your local nursery for guidelines.

The Good News
The great part of planting bulbs is that you get repeat performances. When the bulb begins to turn brown and die off, just let it go. The browning of the plant ensures that food is being stored in the bulb for their next blooming period. When this begins to happen, quit watering the plant and just leave it alone until all signs of the plant have gone away. You can dig up the bulb and store it in a cloth bag if you like; or go for ease and simplicity, and just leave it in the pot to await its next blooming cycle.

Try some of these bulbs for starters:
Crocus
Hyacinth
Muscari
Daffodils
Tulips
Paperwhites