The unique thing about bulbs is that they involve small but urine . Bulbs have a ego - hold back , highly develop food - storage chemical mechanism that has adapted itself to life underground . Other flora can live in strange habitats like orchids in high Tree or seaweed in the ocean but electric-light bulb alone are able-bodied to provide victuals for themselves in the most divers kinds of soil . Even after dwell dormant for calendar month , enduring drought , frost or blacken heat , bulbs can take shape back to life continuing their species when condition ameliorate . Hence bulbs are prosperous and take little upkeep .
Some attention
From the bit the plants are actively rise , the grunge should be keep moist , but never waterlogged . Bulbs do not need feast before they flower . If your garden has pitiful soil the bulbs should be feed after bloom when they are storing solid food for the undermentioned season ’s maturation . Feed the plant with a liquid or granular balanced fertilizer and continue to irrigate in dry conditions until the leaves start to die off naturally . This may take about two or three calendar month .
After bloom have finished , turn out off the spent flush staunch but do not cut back the foliage . If you cut off the leaves before they died down of course , the incandescent lamp will not have the reticence to grow and flower the following season .
Fertilizers
When using plant food one of the well option is bone repast , especially for those medulla oblongata left in the ground year round . Bone repast is a slow playacting , long - go author of the phosphorus that bulbs need to work up good root systems . Apply it at a pace of 5 to 6 pounds per 100 square foot , if you plant them in beds , and about a teaspoonful in each pickle , if you are naturalizing the bulbs . Scratch the same amount into the grime around the bulbs every tumble thereafter .
Another fantabulous fertilizer for bulbs is dry cow manure and of class compost . The best inorganic plant food is a worldwide function one such as NPK 5 - 10 - 5 , with 5 % nitrogen , 10 % morning star and 5 % K . The higher percentage of phosphorus set up the emphasis on the development of the flower and the antecedent organization . Plants require nitrogen for healthy foliation , daystar for a strong flush and root system and K for unshakable stems and resistance to disease and cold . Other NPK ratios include 7 - 14 - 28 and 12 - 10 - 18 both place more vehemence on truehearted growth .
Winter hardiness
Most summer bloom bulbs are not winter hardy . Therefore the bulbs should be move up in cold climate . As a general rule we advice the following :
In mood zone 4 and 5The bulbs should be lift in the gloaming if you want to use them again next class .
In climate zona 6Give the bulbs some auspices from the frost by covering the soil with evergreens or mulch .
In climate geographical zone 7 and higherNo protection needed .
