Q&A - Bulbs

Our Q & A's on flowering bulbs will help you answer your gardening queries on flower bulbs, tubers and corms. These are usually described as spring flowering bulbs like amaryllis, daffodil, tulip, crocus, narcissus, snowdrop (galanthus) and aconite or summer flowering bulbs such as dahlia, gladiolus, lily and nerine.

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Q. For several years I have planted Aconites and they never come up, what conditions do they like.

A. Winter Aconites are generally easy to grow, but they do need a well drained but moisture retentive soil, which can be achieved by digging in lots of organic matter such well, rotted compost or manure. The tubers should be planted about 2.5cm (1") deep and do well beneath deciduous trees and shrubs in sun or partial shade. The key however is to ensure they are kept moist during the spring growing season.

Q. When is the right time to repot Amaryllis to make it flower again?

A. Amaryllis need a period of rest to encourage them to flower. Usually they should be left to die back for a couple of months in late summer (stop watering them at this point) and then repot into a pot that is only just larger than the bulb (by about 1cm around the bulb). You can then begin watering again and hopefully flowers will be produced around Christmas or the New Year. After flowering you should feed with a high potash fertiliser such as tomato food to help the bulb build up strength for the next season.

Q. What is best way to keep my Begonia corms over winter?

A. The corms can be lifted after the first frosts have blackened the leaves. Cut the stems off about 5cm (2") from the ground and carefully dig up the corms. Discard any damaged corms and store the remainder upside down for a week in a dry spot. Place in boxes and cover with dry compost. Store in a frost-free place such as a shed or garage. Next year the corms can be planted out after the danger of frost has passed and you will get the same stunning display as this year.

Q. This year I have grown some wonderful giant Dahlias from seed. The other day whilst pulling up some surrounding flowers I noticed that a corm had come up. If I dug these corms up at the end of the flowering season, or alternatively left them in will they grow again next year and would they produce the same flowers as this year.

A. Dahlias actually produce tubers, which can be lifted after the first frosts have blackened the leaves. Cut the stems off about 15cm (6") from the ground and carefully dig up the tubers. Discard any damaged tubers and store the remainder upside down for a week in a dry spot. Place in boxes and cover with moist compost so the crowns are just visible. Store in a frost-free place such as a shed or garage. Next year the tubers can be planted out after the danger of frost has passed and you will get the same display as this year. You can even take cuttings before planting out to increase the number of plants.

Q. My Mum has recently bought me a snakeshead fritillary as she knows their favourites of mine. She bought it on a market stall and it needs to be planted up, which I intend to do today, in a partial shade spot. Should I remove the old flower heads, as I would with daffodils, to look after the bulbs and encourage more flowering?

A. Removing the dead flower heads of your fritilaria will certainly help produce a stronger bulb in the first year or two, but after that if you would like it to spread you should allow it to seed around. And providing you don't disturb the soil new plants will grow.