Planting and Caring for Flower Bulbs

Executive Summary by: Michael McGroarty

Flower Bulbs: Bulb type flowers are really unique plants, because they spend most of their days resting quietly beneath the surface of the soil.

flower bulb

Flowers of all kinds are best when planted in groupings. Many people buy 25 or 50 bulbs and just go around the yard planting helter skelter.

In the early spring start thinking about where you would like to create a bed for flower bulbs.

When the bulbs come up in the spring and start blooming, you should clip off the blooms as they start to wither. This keeps the bulb from producing seeds, which requires a lot of energy, and you want the bulb to use all of its available energy to store food in preparation for the bulb’s resting period.

The rays from the sun are absorbed by the foliage and the food making process begins. In the case of a flower bulb this food is transported to the bulb beneath the ground and stored for later use.

So basically the leaves of the plant are like little solar panels. If you restrict them the flow stops.

Bending them over seems to work, but I’ve spent a lot of money on my bulbs. As the bulbs die back the annuals tend to grow and conceal them.

Forcing Flower Bulbs

Executive Summary by: Seth Miller

Genetic patterns control the growth of all plants. Of the few successful methods that help achieve this objective, forcing flower bulbs is an effective practice.Forcing flower bulbs at home is an exciting activity.

Prior to a flower bulb being forced, it is put in a pot and allowed to grow. The bulb is completely covered and grows within the pot. This prompts the growth of leaves and flowers. The entire process lasts for 3 to 4 weeks until the flower bulb blooms.

A number of spring flowers usually require a long rooting period and predetermined temperatures to produce a good root. This assists the successful forcing of flower bulbs.

It is important to mention that all flower bulbs cannot be forced.

Check out my other guide on gardening plants indoor and bonsai plants