Last month, I planted 40 tulip bulbs. Then I discovered that they should be planted with the flat portion down and the pointy end up. I went the other way! (It just struck me as apparent that the tip indicated which way the bulb should be planted.) I went out yesterday to dig them up and replant them properly, but to my dismay, the first bulb I came across had roots growing out of the top (or bottom?) and I was afraid to move it for fear of injuring the roots. What ought I to do? Will I misplace my tulips?
Don’t worry about it, I say! It makes logical to plant bulbs flat end down and pointed end up because most bulbs have a flattened basal plate (basal meaning bottom) from which roots grow and a pointed side from which stems grow. But they’ll still grow just fine if you plant them upside down or sideways.
Soon after planting, regardless of the angle of the basal plate, roots will start to show, and in the spring, the flower stem, which initially starts growing pointing down, will swiftly change direction and rise up. Gravity has an adverse effect on it, and no matter which direction gravity pulls it, it will obstinately grow in the opposite direction. The term “negative gravitropism” refers to this.
Your upside-down tulip bulbs may, at most, be slightly shorter than average, but even that isn’t a guarantee.
And in the upcoming year, the lightbulb will adjust itself. A tulip bulb generates offsets or daughter bulbs after it blooms: typically a large one that will replace her and blossom the next year and smaller bulbs that aid in her reproduction but won’t bloom for a while. After dying, the mother bulb’s task is complete. The offsets that are created, nevertheless, will all develop with the basal plate at the bottom and the tip upward. Isn’t nature amazing?
Almost any bulb or organ that resembles a bulb is covered by this information. The lumpy tubers of anemones (Anemone blanda and A. coronaria) and winter aconites are two examples of bulbs that don’t obviously have an upside or a downside (Eranthis hiemalis). Plant them however you choose; you’ll never be able to predict which side will be up.
Tulips planted upside-down will they still bloom?
You can notice how similar the top and bottom of a gladiolus (Gladiolus hybrids) corm look in the upper image on the left. Sometimes it’s impossible to know which side is right. Or you can rush and unintentionally drop one with the basal plate—where the roots form—pointing up in the planting hole.
However, as you can see in the lower image on the left, it is irrelevant. The upside-down glad was growing at the same rate as the one planted right-side up a few weeks after it was planted. And it appears as though it would have righted itself if left in the ground. Take note of the fact that the young stems are even starting to turn the bulb over. Although planting a bulb upside down is not recommended, doing so won’t stop it from blossoming.
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Can bulbs be planted upside down?
The best time to sow spring-flowering bulbs is in the fall. On the Cape and Islands, this is one of the most pleasant times of year to be outside, and planting bulbs is a fun autumn activity that will produce lovely results in the spring. However, customers frequently have inquiries regarding their bulbs, and at Country Garden, we are prepared to provide answers.
- How deep should bulbs be buried? Years ago, the rule of thumb was to plant bulbs at least three times their height deep. For instance, a bulb that was two inches tall would need to be buried at least six inches. Deeper isn’t better, though, as ongoing study at Cornell University’s Horticultural Department has demonstrated. Tulip bulbs planted in the Cornell test fields at a depth of just three inches and covered with a couple of inches of mulch fared better in subsequent years than those planted at a deeper depth. This is fantastic news for Cape gardeners because in many gardens, clean sand can be found six inches or deeper. Your bulbs should be alright if you cover them with three to four inches of dirt.
- Can I grow bulbs alongside perennials or groundcovers? Yes, but some groundcovers, like English ivy and Pachysandra, are so tenacious that they might outcompete the bulbs. It is ideal to plant bulbs between perennials or in front of shrubs, but remember to provide room for those plants’ future growth.
- My bulbs are getting dug up by squirrels after I plant them! Squirrels frequently delve into newly excavated soil in search of edible grubs or treats that have been concealed by other squirrels. Although you might have read that planting your bulbs in wire cages is an excellent way to prevent this, that extra trouble is unneeded. Watering the area well shortly after planting the bulbs is the greatest approach to deter squirrels from excavating your bulbs. So that the squirrels can’t detect that you recently planted in the region, this settles the soil. Laying some lengths of chickenwire across the area you’ve planted and leaving it there for a few of weeks is another technique to deter this habit.
- Fall foliage is coming out from my bulbs! Do I need to defend it? The grape hyacinth is the most typical bulb that produces growth in the fall. Just ignore them if these or other bulbs appear in the fall. Any green foliage is often produced to provide energy to the bulbs and root systems. Although they might become a little winter-worn, the shoots will be fine, and the plants will produce new leaves and blossom in the spring.
- I inserted my bulbs backwards! Do I have to search for them? Although bulbs should be planted with their pointed ends up, it’s okay if you put them in backwards. Bulbs will turn themselves around since they are aware of which way is up.
Therefore, go ahead and plant some bulbs. After the winter, the colors of spring will delight you.
Which way should you plant tulip bulbs: up or down?
Read the label first: Prior to planting, try to maintain the label with the bulbs. The white tulip bulbs and the red tulip bulbs cannot be distinguished from one another without the label.
Where to plant: As long as the soil drains effectively, you may plant bulbs just about anyplace in your garden. According to the Dutch, “bulb don’t like wet feet.” Therefore, stay away from wet locations, such as the bottom of hills. Because the leaves on the trees haven’t yet come out, the spring garden can be very sunny in many places, which is good for bulbs. So keep in mind that there are numerous places you can plant for spring blooming when you’re doing your fall planting.
Set up the planting area: Make the dirt loose and workable by digging. If the garden bed is new, there’s a good possibility the soil might use some organic matter, like compost or peat moss, which are readily accessible at most neighborhood garden supply stores. In the planting bed, loosen the soil to a depth of at least 8. Get rid of any weeds, rocks, or other clutter. If your soil is deficient in nutrients, you can add compost, other organic matter, or slow-releasing fertilizer.
Plant: Depending on the type of bulb, plant it according to the label’s suggested depth. Plant large bulbs approximately 8″ deep and little bulbs about 5″ deep as a general rule. Put the roots down or the bulb’s pointy side up in the hole. A crocus’ pointed end is more difficult to see than a tulip’s. Plant the bulb on its side if you can’t tell the top from the bottom; in most situations, even if you don’t get it correctly, the flower will still make its way to the top.
After planting the bulbs, backfill the hole with dirt, lightly compacting it but not packing it. Once to remove any air pockets and to encourage root growth. Unless you reside in a region with little rainfall throughout the winter, there is no need to water regularly.
Which direction you plant a bulb matters?
Always plant bulbs with the upward-pointing growth tip. Try putting bulbs on their sides if it is unclear which is the top. There are some tuberous plants that are flatter than bulbs and lack a clear growth point, such begonias. Place them with the indented side facing up, just beneath the compost top.
What occurs if bulbs are planted at the incorrect time?
Bulbs that are planted too early risk developing rot. They might even try to blossom if you plant them in the ground in late August or early September because they’ll be fooled into believing it’s spring! They won’t blossom when they should if you plant them too early.
What occurs if you bury bulbs too far?
For the greatest flowering show, plant bulbs at the ideal depth according to our comprehensive practical instructions. If you plant your bulbs too deeply, the flowers may bloom later or not at all, and you may also receive more foliage rather than flowers. When new growth is planted too shallowly, it will be exposed too quickly and will be more susceptible to damage from cold temperatures. Additionally, shallowly planted bulbs are susceptible to being dug out by squirrels, who will gorge themselves on their nourishing food supplies.
To gain a general sense of the planting depth, measure the bulbs from the base to the tip and double or triple this number. However, there are a few outliers, so it’s important to check the suggested depth for the particular variety you want to cultivate.
- 18 cm, which is three times their depth
- November to December.
- Full sun, ideally in a protected area.
- Soil: As long as it’s well-drained and not overly acidic, it’s not too finicky.
- 13.5 cm, which is three times their depth
- September to November.
- Place: in full sun or partial shade
- Moist, well-drained soil
- 14 cm, which is twice their depth
- September through October.
- Sun in its fullness
- Any moist, properly drained soil
- 10 cm, which is twice their depth
- Well-drained, neutral to mildly acidic soil
- 9 cm or five times their depth is the depth.
- Position: They prefer a cool position, either in full sun or light shade.
- Rich, wet, yet well-drained soil
- thirty centimeters, or three times their depth
- Sun in its fullness (plant on their side)
- Rich, deep, well-drained soil that is idealy improved by a lot of thoroughly degraded organic matter.
- 15 cm, which is three times their depth
- Successful in most fertile, well-drained soils.
- 10 cm or three times their depth is the depth.
- When: Spring-flowering crocus bloom from September to November; autumn-flowering crocus bloom from July to August
- Soil: Simple as long as it’s well-drained and rocky
- Position: In full sun yet protected.
- succeed in the majority of well-drained soils
- 5 cm, which is twice their depth
- Position: Preferable dappled shade
- Rich, wet, yet well-drained soil
- To create a greater display, try to plant your bulbs in groups of at least 6 along the garden borders.
- Make a hole that is deep and wide enough to fit your bulbs.
- You can determine the depth of your hole by using our planting depth diagram.
- The bulbs should be inserted into the hole with their growing tip facing up.
- They should be separated by at least twice the width of the bulb. Replace the dirt and firm it carefully; do not use your feet or excessive force as this could harm the bulbs.
Before planting, should bulbs be soaked?
You now understand the fundamentals, but you could still have some queries. Here are some of the questions regarding planting bulbs for spring that I am asked the most.
How deep should you plant spring bulbs?
It’s a good idea to put spring bulbs 2-3 times deeper than their height as a general rule of thumb. For the best results, however, always read the package directions.
Should you soak spring bulbs before planting?
Before planting, there is no need to soak them. However, soaking them for 12 to 24 hours can hasten the roots process if you are running late planting them.
They will root more quickly if you add fish emulsion or liquid kelp to the water before soaking.
Why are bulbs planted in the fall?
To grow and blossom, spring-blooming bulbs require a period of cold hibernation. They won’t likely blossom in the spring if they aren’t planted in the fall.
Can you plant flower bulbs in the spring?
Although it is technically possible, I don’t advise planting cold-hardy flower bulbs in the spring. If they are planted in the spring, they won’t bloom.
Additionally, there’s a chance they won’t have enough time to save the energy they’ll need to endure the winter.
Bulb planting offers such a big payoff for spring blooming. Seeing the first few green shoots pop up from the earth is so amazing. And I bet you’ll be putting more and more spring bulbs in your garden every year now that you know how simple it is.
Can tulips be started indoors?
Tulip indoor cultivation is a simple and enjoyable project. Enjoy the vibrant spring colors even in the dead of winter.
It’s simple to grow tulip bulbs in containers. All the bulbs need is a drink of water and a place to relax. The bulbs already contain the blooming buds.
Forcing is the process of growing tulips indoors. Choose the largest bulbs you can locate to start.
Use a container with a wide bottom, such an azalea pot. When the plants grow taller, these are less prone to topple over.
The tips of the bulbs should be placed at the surface of the potting soil when you fill the pots. Don’t space the bulbs more than two inches apart from one another.
The flat side of a tulip bulb is where the largest leaves appear. The leaves of the bulb should fall over the inner lip of the container when it is planted so that its flat side is up against it.
Before the bulbs begin to produce sprouts, they require around 14 weeks of cool temperatures (the 40s). Although an unheated garage is a good option, the basement refrigerator is the best place to grow them. Water the soil before it cools, and keep it moist but not soggy.
Place them near a window that gets plenty of sunlight after they begin to sprout. The blossoms will be exciting in a few weeks!
Written by North Dakota State University Extension Horticulturist Tom Kalb. Published on October 15, 2014, in the NDSU Yard & Garden Report. September 2020 update The photographer, Peter Kemmer, specified a Creative Commons license when he made the image available.