I hope someone can help us.

My wife planted some bulbs three years ago which in their first year came up and flowered well, however for the last two years we have produced a lovely display of leaves and nothing else, has anyone any suggestions as to what it is that we are doing wrong.

Thanks

Paul

nagitrah wrote:
I hope someone can help us.

My wife planted some bulbs three years ago which in their first year
came up and flowered well, however for the last two years we have
produced a lovely display of leaves and nothing else, has anyone any
suggestions as to what it is that we are doing wrong.

A bit strange, as I think the received wisdom is that they do best in
their second or third year. Assuming you have ordinaryish soil, I'll
guess that the bulbs are either too close together, or were planted too
shallow, or are in too shady a position. Oh, and maybe you cut the
leaves off too soon after flowering: always leave them to die back
naturally in summer, even if they look scruffy. All these suggestions
relate to the plant's need to collect solar energy while feeding through
the roots: this is what makes the next year's flower buds.

If any of the above applies, and you're quite sure there are no flower
buds on the way, dig them up carefully now, and replant in holes six
inches deep and six inches apart without damaging the leaves. A sprinkle
of general fertiliser in the soil before replanting is a good idea, as
they can be quite hungry.

--
Mike.

"nagitrah" wrote
I hope someone can help us.

My wife planted some bulbs three years ago which in their first year
came up and flowered well, however for the last two years we have
produced a lovely display of leaves and nothing else, has anyone any
suggestions as to what it is that we are doing wrong.

Have the bulbs been planted deeply enough? They need to be fairly deep -
usual advice is soil above the bulb should be twice the depth of the
bulb itself. It won't hurt to be a bit deeper, but too shallow and the
bulbs may not get enough moisture which will inhibit flowering. Also let
foliage die right down after flowering before removing dead leaves so
the bulbs recharge for next year.

--
Sue

I would agree with the other posters - ensure the bulbs are planted
deeply enough. How deep? Well they say three to four times the depth
of the bulb, - so 8in/20cm not uncommon, could even be slightly deeper.
The worst thing is shallow planting, the bulbs don't mature, infact
they tend to divide into lots of smaller bulbs.
As the flower is formed inside the bulb this year for next, I would
also water the plant with a tomato fertiliser, fornightly so that it
will build up its reserves whilst in the green. Stop the feed when its
leaves start to fade.
The one thing that you can be sure of, they will come into flower if
the soil is suitable and they are at the right depth.
Good luck.
Clifford
Bawtry, Doncaster, South Yorkshire

Many thanks for all the assistance and advice,

Paul