Bulb Planting Depth

Discussion in 'Annuals, Biennials, Perennials, Ferns and Bulbs' started by Question Man, Dec 8, 2009.

  1. Question Man

    Question Man Member

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    Location:
    Zone 6
    When it says plant 6" deep - do you measure from the bottom or top of the bulb?

    It that from the soil surface or the top of the mulch?

    How exact do you need to be?

    Thanks.
     
  2. thanrose

    thanrose Active Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    Jacksonville, FL USA USDA Zone 9
    It's a guideline. Count the mulch, but in a fairly compact way. For instance cypress mulch can be applied a bit fluffy, but will reduce in volume/height before it starts to decompose. Don't count four inches in what will reduce to an inch.

    Zone 6 will expect some freezes.

    If you have bulbs for your area, that is purchased or bartered from people in your area and known to grow in your area, the bulbs will be hardier than what I can grow in Zone 9. You'll be planting your bulbs with the greatest mass of the bulb, the wider flare above the root nodes at about six inches below soil and mulch for a bulb that needs a six inch planting depth. This would probably be a substantial bulb, bigger than a golf ball, right?

    The guideline in temperate zones (that's you, not me) will be based on the size of the bulb and on the species, but mostly the size of the bulb.

    If you plant too shallowly, they may sprout prematurely during a colder season. A too shallow bulb may freeze, or burst, or be subjected to frost heave. If you manage to avoid those conditions, a too shallow bulb will probably have a much weaker stem and possibly damaged leaves with reduced flowering, and subsequent poor nutrition for the bulb because of inadequate photosynthesis in the leaves.

    Planting depth will vary for your species. You aren't going to plant a crocus at six inches, but Narcissus spp. would be about right as I recall. But then I've been subtropical for a quarter century.
     
  3. Silver surfer

    Silver surfer Generous Contributor 10 Years

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  4. Question Man

    Question Man Member

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    Location:
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    rose, surfer:

    Thank you for the info. Your right there are a lot of charts!

    I am looking forward to Spring!
     

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