Q&A for How to Care for Bulbs

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I live in the Deep South where we don't generally have frost. Is it necessary to dig up the bulbs?

Community Answer

No, you don't have to dig them up.

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Question

Should I keep watering the bulbs that are done flowering?

Community Answer

Yes, but taper it off gradually until there's no green left in the leaves.

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Question

I planted hyacinths in glass pots, but the bulbs had a lot of roots and the rest just did not bloom. Can I plant them outside now?

Community Answer

Yes, but in a sheltered area, like if you have a deck and there is fresh soil you can plant in. Also, even though it is outside sometimes it might not rain or get water, so still water it.

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Question

My tulips grew in water, have "roots," and have bloomed. How do I care for them now?

Community Answer

Tulips grown this way will not recover very easily, but if you would like to try, add a light fertilizer to the water, allow the leaves to continue to grow, and place the tulips in a sunny window. The bulbs need to be "rebuilt" after using most of their energy to grow and bloom. This might take 4-8 weeks. When the leaves begin to yellow or fade, they need to go dormant, so withhold the water and allow them to dry. Next, they need a cold treatment (refrigerator temperature) for 12-14 weeks, and then they might bloom again. All of this work does not guarantee another bloom, so most people throw the bulb in the compost pile, or plant it outside and hope it survives.

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Question

I have stored several daffodil bulbs in a bag in the closet since the spring. It is now October. Am I correct that I should put them in the freezer for a period of time before planting?

Community Answer

It depends where you are. If you get a little bit of frost now and then, you should be fine to pop them straight into the ground. Don't put them in the freezer, though - just the fridge. It's not as simple as it sounds, either; other things in your fridge can release gases that damage them. Really serious bulb addicts have a designated bulb fridge! Do some Googling and check that you know how to do it.

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Question

I just found bulbs in a gifted pot of lilies that just died. When should I plant it? Should I wait until next spring if it is summer?

Community Answer

It depends on what time in summer it is. Don't plant them if it's near the end of summer, but anytime in the beginning or middle should be fine.

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Question

How do I get the best flowers on my spring bulbs next year?

Community Answer

Once your spring bulbs have stopped flowering you may cut and remove any spent flowers, but for the best flowers next spring leave the foliage alone. Even if unsightly, do not remove the foliage until it has yellowed & died. The reason for this is after flowering your plants are storing energy (from the sun) up until the foliage dies. This stored energy is what they will use to flower the following spring. Once the foliage finally does die then you can cut the foliage off low near the ground. Also, be sure to feed your plants twice with bulb food.

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