No, bulbs should not be soaked before planting because they are prone to rotting. Bulbs have tiny roots at the base and the idea behind pre-soaking is that perhaps the roots should be hydrated before planting. But, when planting in fall, there should be adequate moisture in the soil to provide what the bulbs need.
Cutting a lily stem prevents stem rot. Bulbs are unique plants that require a few special gardening approaches. The following tips will help you grow healthy, beautiful flowers. Soak fall-planted bulbs for 12 hours in warm water before planting.
Water the Bulbs well following planting. This will help settle the soil in the planting bed plus provide needed moisture for the bulbs to start rooting. Fall planted bulbs must root before cold weather. Avoid over-watering at planting time since this can result in bulb rot.
Nitrogen is important for preparing the soil for bulbs to be able to start their leaf growth. Phosphorus and potash are good for overall health, resisting disease, root growth, and flowering. You will find the proportions on the side of the fertilizer bag or bottle listed as N-P-K ratios.
A “poke” approach to planting involves creating a small hole in the soil and dropping in one bulb, although planting two or more bulbs in one hole is okay for some smaller species of flowers. You can use any small garden trowel or garden knife (like a Hori-Hori) to dig the hole.
Bulbs planted in the Deep South, the desert Southwest, and most of California (more or less from the San Francisco Bay area south) do not get the cold they need. To perform well, they must be placed in a refrigerator (not a freezer) for 6 to 12 weeks before planting.
Most bulbs can be stored for up to a year, but tend to perform best when planted within six months of lifting. For tender bulbs, be sure to plant in the spring following the fall in which they were lifted-they will likely not have enough energy to survive past the warm season and into the following year.
Plant Bulbs Deep Enough
Generally, dig a hole two to three times deeper than the bulb is tall. So if you have a 3-inch-tall bulb, dig a hole 6 to 9 inches deep. Of course, there are always exceptions, so check the planting directions that come with the bulbs for more information.
Dried-out bulbs won't sprout when replanted. Store them in a dark location in a shed or garage where temperatures remain above freezing.
Flower bulbs and many seeds require a dormancy period before they are ready for growth. It is a chilling period of a certain number of days. This keeps the embryo from emerging during cold weather, which would potentially kill the new growth.
Chilling Bulbs. Here's the deal: Bulbs that grow indoors sometimes need a reminder that they've been through winter—however fake it is. In fact, all bulbs except amaryllis and paperwhites need a cold snap.
Making sure you have the right amount for the space you are planning in helps ensure you get the right look! Generally, having too many bulbs isn't a big problem. You can always gift the extras to friends and neighbors. However, if you end up planting too few bulbs you may find yourself disappointed in spring.
You can maximize your spring bulb display by layering several bulbs in the same planting hole. That way, you can dig once, but plant for a variety of blooms! The rule of thumb is that the larger the bulb, the deeper it's planted.
Many bulbs readily multiply by producing offsets without any help from the gardener. But as well as taking advantage of this, it is quite simple to grow more of your favourite bulbs using just a few other techniques, including scaling, bulbils, seed and division.
First, it's important to fertilize when you plant the bulb. And you don't need anything fancy, Jim says, so don't overthink it. Use a good, balanced fertilizer (10-10-10, for example). The brand isn't as important as the balance of nutrients.
Place the bulbs with the pointy-end up and with the roots down. If you're not sure of the top or bottom of the bulb, plant it on its side and it will find its way to the surface. Cover with soil and a light layer of mulch. Newly planted bulbs should be watered well to get settled in.
The best type of soil for flower bulbs is a sandy loam. It can be described as a balanced mixture of clay, sand, silt and a modicum of organic matter. Sandy loam usually is around neutral pH and affords good water drainage, root permeability and adequate nutrition.
Should you soak spring bulbs before planting? There's no need to soak them before planting. However, if you are late getting them into the ground, then soaking them for 12-24 hours can speed up the rooting process. Adding fish emulsion or liquid kelp to the water before soaking will help them root even faster.
Plant Like a Pro
Plan on 9 to 12 bulbs per square foot. For a full look, put 2" to 3" of space between the bulbs. Using a 4" spacing will stretch the bulbs, but not look quite as full. To plant a lot of bulbs fast, dig out the entire planting area to a depth of 6 to 8” and pile the soil on a tarp nearby.
Water tulips when you plant them, giving each planting area a thorough soak. Water once per week week for the first month after planting, then leave the plants alone until springtime. Begin watering again in the springtime, when the leaves appear.
If you miss planting your bulbs at the optimal time, don't wait for spring or next fall. Bulbs aren't like seeds. They won't survive out of the ground indefinitely. Even if you find an unplanted sack of tulips or daffodils in January or February, plant them and take your chances.