Bulbs in Pots: A “One Hit Wonder” or A Lasting Treasure?

I’ve received lots of inquiries lately regarding bulbs planted in pots. We’ve all seen it: the gorgeous pots of hyacinth, tulips, and daffodils in full bloom sold at the local supermarket or floral shoppe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably purchased one (or at least thought about it) and triumphantly brought your little piece of spring home with you. We are all anxious for spring and who wouldn’t want a little reminder that it will one day indeed come?

So you’ve brought home the pot of adorable miniature daffodils or extremely fragrant hyacinth or maybe you’ve signed up to receive a potted Easter Lily at church and they produced gorgeous blooms for a week or two. But now what do do with these beautiful indoor bulbs after flowering? Was the money you spent on this pot of once-blooming flowers wasted? Is there nothing left to do but dispose of the pot along with the bulbs just as though it were a fresh floral arrangement? Absolutely NOT! Why not replant the bulbs in your garden or another pot to enjoy for years to come? The process is actually quite simple:

1. Once the plant has stopped blooming, discontinue watering and allow the foliage to die back.
2. Once the foliage is dried and brown, remove it from the pot by gently tugging on the leaves until they break from the bulb and come out of the ground. (If the leaves do not pull away from the bulbs easily you haven’t waited quite long enough for the foliage to die. It is very important to not remove the foliage prematurely as it helps to put energy back in the bulbs for the next year’s blooms.)
3. Remove the bulbs from the dirt and dust them off. Check for any rotten or soft spots on bulbs. If these spots are visible on any bulbs, discard them. Allow them to dry out on a piece of paper in a cool, dry and dark place (such as a cellar or basement).

   

   Don't throw away these gorgeous tulip bulbs...replant them!

4. If you live in Hardiness Zones 3 – 8 (an area that stays consistently near or below freezing for a period of at least 10-12 weeks during the winter), the bulbs can be replanted in your outdoor garden in fall, anytime between late September and early November, preferrably prior to the first frost.
5. If you live south of Hardiness Zone 8 (your winters do not fall into the above mentioned category), you will need to “pre-chill” these bulbs in October or November by placing them into your refrigerator in a brown paper bag for a period of 10-12 weeks. Be sure not to store any fruits or vegetables near your bag of bulbs as they give off a chemical called “ethylene” while ripening that can cause bulbs to rot. Once the bulbs have chilled for the correct period and may even have started to sprout, they are ready to be replanted either in the outdoors or in a pot!

So the next time you pass the floral counter at the grocery store or hear of an offer to order some potted bulbs for Easter, don’t hesitate to pick one up for yourself! Remember, spring planting bulbs work great for this, too! Good luck to you!

Until next time,

Want to learn more about planting bulbs in pots? Email Bridget at bridget@bulbblog.com! Your question may even be featured in a future blog post!

These indoor blooms make wonderful gifts and come in a variety colors!

Amaryllis: The Gift that Keeps on Giving!

As hard as it is to believe, the holidays are just around the corner. That being said, whether you’re the organized shopper who bought everyone’s Christmas gift over the summer or you’re the procrastinator without a clue, there’s bound to be someone who seems to have everything. Or what about that person that you think might drop by and need a gift “just in case”? Have you thought about your child’s teacher or Great Aunt Gertrude or your hair stylist?

How about a unique gift that they will actually enjoy? Try bringing plant life to the cold days by giving an indoor bulb! One of the most common of these indoor growing bulbs is the Amaryllis. Now I already know what you’re thinking: I don’t want to give a gift that requires WORK…let alone a plant that I know will never survive. So what if Gertrude’s thumb isn’t that green! The best part about these gifts is that they are extremely EASY to grow and fun to watch! Have grandchildren that are interested in the way things grow but are bored with the “expandable sponge animals”? Give them each an amaryllis bulb to plant and record the progress! And the best part: many times bulb websites such as Holland Bulb Farms sell these indoor bulbs in giftbox kits which include everything you need to grow the bulb. Sure takes the difficulty out of a unique gift, doesn’t it?

A close up picture of my sister's Amaryllis on her desk at work.

Allow me to tell you about my sister: My dear sister, a wonderful person full of great ideas and motivation, is not gifted with the talent of “growing things.” Or maybe better said, she has difficulty keeping plants alive Yet as far as I’m concerned, every house could benefit from some “greenery” so I gave her an amaryllis. Of course, I received the response I knew I would: “Oh thanks, Bridget. But…ah…you know how I am with plants. Do I have to water it?” I laughed and assured her that even SHE couldn’t mess this one up. I also told her that the great thing about amaryllis is that they only need to be watered once a week! Sure enough, three weeks later, I received an email from her, pictures attached. She had taken her amaryllis to her office and it had bloomed beautifully! Her only complaint was that she couldn’t get any work done because her co-workers would constantly stop to ask her what the gorgeous plant on her desk was called!

So why not try giving a unique gift this year rather than the same old gift card to McDonald’s or gaudy Christmas ornament? The blooms last for weeks and they couldn’t be easier to grow!

Until next time,

Have a question for Bridget? Be sure to email her at bridget@bulbblog.com. Have your question featured in the blog and receive $5.00 off your next order with www.hollandbulbfarms.com!