bulbs covered by mulch
 

I have some hyacinth and crocus bulbs planted in a bed that is covered by wood chip mulch.
The bulbs do produce leaves and small flowers, but nothing like they should.
Is the mulch inhibiting the flower production?

Zone 5

Thanx

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Will Renkel
Wheaton, Ill.
REGISTERD Linux User: 300583

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"Will Renkel" wrote in message
...

I have some hyacinth and crocus bulbs planted in a bed that is covered by
wood chip mulch.
The bulbs do produce leaves and small flowers, but nothing like they
should.
Is the mulch inhibiting the flower production?

Zone 5

Thanx

Mulch won't DIRECTLY cause problems with flowering, unless you're dealing
with a plant that really insists on dry soil. So always check the usual
suspects first.

1) Soil test: Buy a kit and do it yourself, or take some samples to your
state cooperative extension service, who will probably do it dirt cheap.
Although bulbs aren't usually VERY fussy, it's always possible that the soil
is really out of whack, in terms of either pH or nutrients. Anything you add
to the soil can affect pH, and mulches are no exception.

2) What was the consistency of the soil to begin with? Nice? Too much clay?
What your soil like 12 hours, and a couple of days after good rain soaking?

3) How long have the bulbs been in the ground?

4) How long has the planting area been used? If it was a new garden when you
planted it, how did you prepare the soil?

yes, crocus especially prefers well drained soil, but it won't be
affected by the slight pH lowering of wood chips. In fact, it is a very
good mulch for bulbs. providing good amounts of P. Also, crocus will
want some sun to really prosper. hiacinth, if it is muscari, thrives in
almost all circumstances, except poorly drained soil.

"Doug Kanter" writes:
"Will Renkel" wrote in message
...

I have some hyacinth and crocus bulbs planted in a bed that is covered by
wood chip mulch.
The bulbs do produce leaves and small flowers, but nothing like they
should.
Is the mulch inhibiting the flower production?

Zone 5

Thanx

Mulch won't DIRECTLY cause problems with flowering, unless you're dealing
with a plant that really insists on dry soil. So always check the usual
suspects first.

1) Soil test: Buy a kit and do it yourself, or take some samples to your
state cooperative extension service, who will probably do it dirt cheap.
Although bulbs aren't usually VERY fussy, it's always possible that the soil
is really out of whack, in terms of either pH or nutrients. Anything you add
to the soil can affect pH, and mulches are no exception.

see below about what was in bed previously
did not do a sample test
2) What was the consistency of the soil to begin with? Nice? Too much clay?
What your soil like 12 hours, and a couple of days after good rain soaking?

Soil consistency before was well drained and very fertile.
Had some geraniums in it last year and they bloomed profusely.
3) How long have the bulbs been in the ground?
This is first year for the bulbs.

4) How long has the planting area been used? If it was a new garden when you
planted it, how did you prepare the soil?

The area has been used for annuals for 10+ years
So just dug and planted bulbs.


Thanx for all te replys and suggestions and help.

--
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Will Renkel
Wheaton, Ill.
REGISTERD Linux User: 300583

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"Will Renkel" wrote in message
...

see below about what was in bed previously
did not do a sample test

OK. Do the test. Be sure to test in 3-4 spots in the same bed, testing for
both pH and nutrients (which means you need the fancier test kit). Tedious,
but worthwhile.

Then, down the list we go.....

- Where did you buy the bulbs, and what condition were they in? I've seen
bulbs in some stores that are slightly soft and wrinkled like old potatoes
that are beginning to dehydrate. If these poorly treated bulbs were
subjected to further insults, they might perform marginally the first year.

- In what week of what month did you plant them?

- Exactly where (town and state) in zone 5 do you live? Mini-climates are
important.

I'd ask about whether they were under too much snow cover, but mine were
under a 5 foot pile of snow until mid-March, and they started cranking two
days after it all melted. I think they see it as a challenge.

"Doug Kanter" writes:
"Will Renkel" wrote in message
...

see below about what was in bed previously
did not do a sample test

OK. Do the test. Be sure to test in 3-4 spots in the same bed, testing for
both pH and nutrients (which means you need the fancier test kit). Tedious,
but worthwhile.

Will work on that.
Then, down the list we go.....

- Where did you buy the bulbs, and what condition were they in? I've seen
bulbs in some stores that are slightly soft and wrinkled like old potatoes
that are beginning to dehydrate. If these poorly treated bulbs were
subjected to further insults, they might perform marginally the first year.
From Brecks mail order

- In what week of what month did you plant them?
I believe about first week November

- Exactly where (town and state) in zone 5 do you live? Mini-climates are
important.
Wheaton Illinois
Many neighbors have beautiful stuff.

I'd ask about whether they were under too much snow cover, but mine were
under a 5 foot pile of snow until mid-March, and they started cranking two
days after it all melted. I think they see it as a challenge.


Minimal snow cover.

--
---------------------------------------------------------------
Will Renkel
Wheaton, Ill.
REGISTERD Linux User: 300583

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They could just be planted too deep. They will send up leaves but no flowers

--
Dana
www3.sympatico.ca/lostmermaid
"Will Renkel" wrote in message
...
"Doug Kanter" writes:
"Will Renkel" wrote in message
...

see below about what was in bed previously
did not do a sample test

OK. Do the test. Be sure to test in 3-4 spots in the same bed, testing
for
both pH and nutrients (which means you need the fancier test kit).
Tedious,
but worthwhile.

Will work on that.
Then, down the list we go.....

- Where did you buy the bulbs, and what condition were they in? I've
seen
bulbs in some stores that are slightly soft and wrinkled like old
potatoes
that are beginning to dehydrate. If these poorly treated bulbs were
subjected to further insults, they might perform marginally the first
year.
From Brecks mail order

- In what week of what month did you plant them?
I believe about first week November

- Exactly where (town and state) in zone 5 do you live? Mini-climates
are
important.
Wheaton Illinois
Many neighbors have beautiful stuff.

I'd ask about whether they were under too much snow cover, but mine
were
under a 5 foot pile of snow until mid-March, and they started cranking
two
days after it all melted. I think they see it as a challenge.


Minimal snow cover.

--
---------------------------------------------------------------
Will Renkel
Wheaton, Ill.
REGISTERD Linux User: 300583

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