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#1
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Planting snowdrops
This subject seems to come up every year, often once snowdrop time is past.
So - just a hint to any new gardeners he snowdrops do best when planted 'in the green'. IOW, don't buy those packets of bulbs from GCs or supermarkets, buy them (or request them from a friend) while they're still 'in the green'. That is, they've finished flowering but still have their leaves. Take them straight home and plant them where you want them to flower next year. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the 'x' to email me) |
#2
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Planting snowdrops
In article , Sacha
wrote: This subject seems to come up every year, often once snowdrop time is past. So - just a hint to any new gardeners he snowdrops do best when planted 'in the green'. IOW, don't buy those packets of bulbs from GCs or supermarkets, buy them (or request them from a friend) while they're still 'in the green'. That is, they've finished flowering but still have their leaves. Take them straight home and plant them where you want them to flower next year. I assume this means that if I buy a bunch of potted ones from a local nursery to add here & there, there won't be any issue of bulbs' energy depletion as when narcissi are forced for nursery sales? Narcissus varieties seem to take a couple years or never recovering from being forced on production lines for pre-season sales, though the same varieties do superbly if planted as bulbs in autumn. Is it the snowdrops' big root system that makes them feel differently about being treated as transplanted spring perennials? -paghat the ratgirl -- "Of what are you afraid, my child?" inquired the kindly teacher. "Oh, sir! The flowers, they are wild," replied the timid creature. -from Peter Newell's "Wild Flowers" See the Garden of Paghat the Ratgirl: http://www.paghat.com/ |
#3
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Planting snowdrops
paghat5/1/04 7:44
In article , Sacha wrote: This subject seems to come up every year, often once snowdrop time is past. So - just a hint to any new gardeners he snowdrops do best when planted 'in the green'. IOW, don't buy those packets of bulbs from GCs or supermarkets, buy them (or request them from a friend) while they're still 'in the green'. That is, they've finished flowering but still have their leaves. Take them straight home and plant them where you want them to flower next year. I assume this means that if I buy a bunch of potted ones from a local nursery to add here & there, there won't be any issue of bulbs' energy depletion as when narcissi are forced for nursery sales? Narcissus varieties seem to take a couple years or never recovering from being forced on production lines for pre-season sales, though the same varieties do superbly if planted as bulbs in autumn. Is it the snowdrops' big root system that makes them feel differently about being treated as transplanted spring perennials? I wish I could tell you the reason. I'm sure someone will! To be honest, only you can answer as to the habits of your local nursery or gc and if your snowdrops are flowering now, in pots, ask if they've been forced. We sell a few in pots but they're outdoors all the time and never forced. I just can't imagine why anyone would force snowdrops - can't see the need for it. Other nurseries may have differing habits. However, even if the ones you buy in a pot have been forced for this year, planting them 'in the green' should still work for next year. Ours come from a friend who is head gardener on a local estate. He is able to dig up hundreds and bring them in to us for sale, in the green. I think there are about 50 bulbs or so to a bundle and last year, we were selling them for £1.50 but every nursery or gc will vary, both in price and quantity. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the 'x' to email me) |
#4
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Planting snowdrops
paghat5/1/04 7:44
In article , Sacha wrote: This subject seems to come up every year, often once snowdrop time is past. So - just a hint to any new gardeners he snowdrops do best when planted 'in the green'. IOW, don't buy those packets of bulbs from GCs or supermarkets, buy them (or request them from a friend) while they're still 'in the green'. That is, they've finished flowering but still have their leaves. Take them straight home and plant them where you want them to flower next year. I assume this means that if I buy a bunch of potted ones from a local nursery to add here & there, there won't be any issue of bulbs' energy depletion as when narcissi are forced for nursery sales? Narcissus varieties seem to take a couple years or never recovering from being forced on production lines for pre-season sales, though the same varieties do superbly if planted as bulbs in autumn. Is it the snowdrops' big root system that makes them feel differently about being treated as transplanted spring perennials? I wish I could tell you the reason. I'm sure someone will! To be honest, only you can answer as to the habits of your local nursery or gc and if your snowdrops are flowering now, in pots, ask if they've been forced. We sell a few in pots but they're outdoors all the time and never forced. I just can't imagine why anyone would force snowdrops - can't see the need for it. Other nurseries may have differing habits. However, even if the ones you buy in a pot have been forced for this year, planting them 'in the green' should still work for next year. Ours come from a friend who is head gardener on a local estate. He is able to dig up hundreds and bring them in to us for sale, in the green. I think there are about 50 bulbs or so to a bundle and last year, we were selling them for £1.50 but every nursery or gc will vary, both in price and quantity. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the 'x' to email me) |
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Planting snowdrops
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#7
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Planting snowdrops
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#8
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Planting snowdrops
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#9
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Planting snowdrops
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