I planted some bulbs last year. After the flowers are gone how long should I
wait before I cut down the leaves and stems?

You can cut down the stems anytime after the flowers are finished--in fact,
it's a good idea to do it, so the plant won't put any energy into making
seeds.

You should not cut back the leaves at all. You should wait until they turn
brown and wither before removing them. As a new gardener, this used to
bother me, but I soon learned there are lots of other things to do and turn
my attention to, and before you know it, it will be high summer and the
foliage will be gone.

You can plant perennials around the bulbs, so that their foliage will help
distract from the fading bulb foliage.

Cheers,
Sue

--

Zone 6, South-central PA

"Larry" wrote in message
. ..
I planted some bulbs last year. After the flowers are gone how long should
I
wait before I cut down the leaves and stems?

The RHS did extensive trials over many years and their results showed that
the leaves of spring bulbous plants can be removed after 42 days, even if
still green. Cut before that time does cause deterioration but the 42 day
timing gives no problems.
I have kept to this for thirty years and all has been well and productive.
Best Wishes.
"SugarChile" wrote in message
news
You can cut down the stems anytime after the flowers are finished--in
fact,
it's a good idea to do it, so the plant won't put any energy into making
seeds.

You should not cut back the leaves at all. You should wait until they
turn
brown and wither before removing them. As a new gardener, this used to
bother me, but I soon learned there are lots of other things to do and
turn
my attention to, and before you know it, it will be high summer and the
foliage will be gone.

You can plant perennials around the bulbs, so that their foliage will help
distract from the fading bulb foliage.

Cheers,
Sue

--

Zone 6, South-central PA

"Larry" wrote in message
. ..
I planted some bulbs last year. After the flowers are gone how long
should
I
wait before I cut down the leaves and stems?

Xref: kermit rec.gardens:278524

I should have stated that the 42 days is taken from the day the bloom has
finished. Sorry
Best Wishes.
"Brian" wrote in message
...
The RHS did extensive trials over many years and their results showed that
the leaves of spring bulbous plants can be removed after 42 days, even if
still green. Cut before that time does cause deterioration but the 42 day
timing gives no problems.
I have kept to this for thirty years and all has been well and
productive.
Best Wishes.
"SugarChile" wrote in message
news
You can cut down the stems anytime after the flowers are finished--in
fact,
it's a good idea to do it, so the plant won't put any energy into making
seeds.

You should not cut back the leaves at all. You should wait until they
turn
brown and wither before removing them. As a new gardener, this used to
bother me, but I soon learned there are lots of other things to do and
turn
my attention to, and before you know it, it will be high summer and the
foliage will be gone.

You can plant perennials around the bulbs, so that their foliage will
help
distract from the fading bulb foliage.

Cheers,
Sue

--

Zone 6, South-central PA

"Larry" wrote in message
. ..
I planted some bulbs last year. After the flowers are gone how long
should
I
wait before I cut down the leaves and stems?

On Fri, 14 May 2004 15:11:53 +0000, Larry wrote:

I planted some bulbs last year. After the flowers are gone how long should I
wait before I cut down the leaves and stems?


You can cut the flower STEM(s) off after the flower dies. I let leaves
stay until they are showing signs of yellowing/browning. Then I cut them
off.

Tom

Tom Randy in
news
On Fri, 14 May 2004 15:11:53 +0000, Larry wrote:

I planted some bulbs last year. After the flowers are gone how long
should I wait before I cut down the leaves and stems?


You can cut the flower STEM(s) off after the flower dies. I let leaves
stay until they are showing signs of yellowing/browning. Then I cut
them off.

Tom


option:
harvest the seeds, let the foliage do what it wants (or shove it down, if
you need to hide it)