How to care flower bulbs?

This article is written by www.workingofwords.in

The blooming of spring bulbs is a sight to behold. With a dab of beautiful colors, flowering bulbs add up to the beauty of every garden. Plants having short stems and leaf bases in them that acts as their food storage units during their dormancy are called bulbs. These bulbs require cold temperatures in order to get out of their dormant stage and bloom. Basically, spring is considered the best season to plant bulbs like tulips and dahlia because of the temperature of the soil, which is comparatively cooler than the rest of the year. Using plant mixes while planting bulbs results in improving the texture of the soil. But if the soil texture is already rich or even average, it does not require any fertilizers. The bulb, which is just the modified stem, ensures to store enough nutrients for the plant's survival. Bulbs can either be perennial or annual and depending on that, the frequency of planting the bulbs must be determined. If it is annual, you need to take care of the flowering bulbs well and dig them up every year after the flowering season, whereas perennial bulbs keep coming up for three to five years before getting demised. Different bulbs require different planting depths. Once planted, make sure to water the bulb regularly, and if necessary, they must be protected by wiring the periphery.

Planting bulbs does not end the story; instead, it has just begun. Taking care of flower bulbs is equally essential. It is necessary to water the bulbs during and even after the bloom season, along with having a check on the weed growth. Generally, gardeners make the mistake of not attending the bulbs once the flowering season is over. This is a big no because once the foliage starts to wither, the plants begin to prepare themselves for the next blooming. If they are not watered during this time, the bulb cannot store enough nutrients and eventually die. Look out for the fungi and weed growth, and it can hinder the growth of your bulbs. The spring bulbs mostly bloom in spring itself, and they get withered towards the end of the summer. During their development, to take care of the flowering bulbs, make sure to let the foliage be as it is. The foliage must die a natural death without being tampered with. They might look ugly but try covering them with other plants in front; it will also help in making your place look lively even when the bulbs are dormant and have not emerged.

Remember that if the foliage is cut off, it will affect the next cycle of the bulb. Resist that temptation to pluck it off! Not only when they are flowering, but bulbs also need to be taken care of even after it stops flowering or else the bulbs’ rate of blooming will be lowered in the upcoming year. When smaller bulbs are concerned, the flowers are generally left attached to the plant even after it has withered because they help in the ripening of seeds. But in cases of tulips, the flowers must be plucked away after dying down. Taking care of bulbs is not much dissimilar from other plants. Still, bulbs require attention even after the blooming season is over because this is the time when the foliage gets itself ready by storing enough energy and nutrients for the next cycle.

Unlike spring bulbs, summer bulbs start to appear in spring and bloom in summer as they do not like colder temperatures. They are planted in spring when the soil is warm enough and when there are no threats of cold weather. Taking care of summer flowering bulbs must include not tying up of the foliage as it would lessen the space between the leaves, which is used to collect solar energy. Summer flower bulbs mostly require good quality soil, so while planting them, and remember the soil’s texture must be rich. If not, then do not forget to add fertilizers. Annual flower bulbs do not require a unique planting mix as the bulbs already have the nutrients stored within them, but in cases of perennial bulbs, fertilizers are required because the bulbs take away enough nutrients from the soil. Getting bathed in sunlight is equally essential for bulbs. There can be several reasons why your bulbs are not blooming, and not getting enough sunlight can be one of them. To take proper care of flowering bulbs, see that the bulbs are not overcrowding each other, are of good quality, and are getting adequate sunlight for six hours a day. If the bulbs have been inside the ground for a long while, use a garden fork to lift it gently and after removing the deceased bulbs, replant them. This will ensure the healthier growth of the flower bulbs.

Taking care of flower bulbs is not difficult or much different from other gardening plants. By keeping a few instructions in mind, you can have the best blooms this season. So, what are you waiting for? Plant your flower bulbs and let them bloom!