Evening star., 1950-10-22

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and every one of them will prod
Bulb planting is the one step
that is almost certain to produce
blooms next spring. Even the
tiniest gardener can hardly fail,
although he or she receives the
splits" and other small bulbs.
Generally, we should strive to Sc
cure plump bulbs because they
contain plenty of stored up food
to insure long stems and large
flowers. This rule is more impor-
tant to follow with tulips than
it is for daffodils and the small
early spring Towering bulbs. How
ever, size is important for all
bulbs if you expect to produce top
size blooms.
Another factor to consider in
buying bulbs is that they are
sound and free from disease.
Most imported bulbs are carefully
inspected both in the exporting
country and in the United States
but it is a wise precaution for
the gardener to examine them be-
fore planting. Bulbs that are soft
at the base are to be avoided.
Those showing rotted or soft areas
should be disposed of rather than
to take chances of injecting the
bed with some disease. This. how
ever. does not apply to bruises re-
ceived in shipping-usually slight,
superficial discoloration.
In planting bulbs it is important
to get them into the ground as
soon as possible in order that the
bulbs may become well-rooted be-
fore cold weather stops growth.
(All hardy bulbs make consider
able root growth and some top
growth in the fall) Daffodils
start into growth earlier than
tulips, hence they should be
planted In September when avail
able.
Most bulbs are planted rather
deep-the tops of the larger bulbs
should be 4 to 6 inches or more
below the surface of the ground.
For this reason the beds should
be rather deeply spaded and the
compost and fertilizer worked into
the lower levels where the roots 90.
Compost is needed to supply the
growing plants with food and
moisture. Some fertilizer may we'll
be added at the time of soil prep
aration, although only bone meal
is recommended for tulips. Excess
nitrogen stimulates division and
vegetative growth Of tulips hence
over-feeding is to be avoided.
The question Of depth of plant
ing for the various kinds OF bulbs
Is always confusing to the begin
ming gardener. A safe rule to
follow is the deeper the bulb is
planted the less 1t will divide and,
conversely. shallow planting speeds
multiplication. Since few of us
are anxious to have our bulbs
multiply rapidly we ought to plant
them relatively deep. Tulips have
been planted at IL inches and left
undisturbed for several years with
success in this area. However.
this practice is not feasible in soils
which lack subsurface drainage.
Where the gardener wishes to
plant ANIMALS after the daffodils
have finished blooming the tops
of the bulbs should be at least
6 inches below the surface. Gro
Gus. snowdrops, winter aconite,
Scilla siberica and other early
spring Towering dubious plants
with small bulbs generally are
planted 2 to inches deep. This
is contrary to the rule which
states the planting depth as twice
the depth of the bulb. The depth
as indicated by the range will vary
somewhat according to the soil:
|. e.. it should be planted deeper
IN sandy soils than in heavy clay.
Bulb beds do not require winter
protection. although in the Wash