On 22/03/2011 21:45, Jake wrote:
I've been stupid (or just plain forgetful). In 2009, in an effort to
get some multi-season use out of a large bed that before then only got
mass planted with summer bedding each year, I planted half the bed
with tulip bulbs - deep enough to pop the bedding on top in the summer
and the tulips die back in good time. Couldn't afford to plant the lot
in one go so last year I bought the second batch of 400 bulbs and have
just found them planted nicely in a box in the garage. I totally
forgot about them somehow. They have developed shoots about half an
inch long but that's it. They've been in the garage (cool if not cold
and very dry) and in a box (in the dark) since late October. They feel
firm and there's no sign of fungus/mould on any of them.

I guess that if I plant them in the bed, and they grow, they'll grow
late and interfere with the summer planting and probably won't
flourish long term anyway (otherwise why can we never buy tulip bulbs
in March?)

So my dilemma is do I:

a) leave them in the box, in the dry and dark, and remember to plant
them in November this year, or
b) compost them (I have no other practical place to plant them), or
c) give them away (only if someone else who planted them now could
expect a "return" for their efforts)

I suppose the question is do I stand any reasonable chance of them
doing the biz if I keep them in storage until November? And any
special treatment necessary?

Advice very much appreciated.

Cheers

Jake


You're not stupid, Jake, and you wouldn't be the first person to find
themselves in this predicament. Personally, I would plant them now and
risk that they may not flower well this year and that their foliage may
disrupt your bedding. If you can't live with untidy tulip leaves in
your bedding, then I suggest you gradually harden them off and feed them
to build up the bulbs for next year. You may still get flowers this
year, but there's no guarantee. Not having an ideal spare site is a
problem, though; could your tulip box live on the patio for now?

--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay