Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: srush on June 30, 2008, 21:49

Title: What do I do with these bulbs?
Post by: srush on June 30, 2008, 21:49

I have given a load from freecycle about 2 months ago, the guy didnt know what they where and told me to just plant them, so I did.

They come up with great big green leaves even though I know nothing should really come up until next year, what do I do with the leaves and bulbs as I would really like to plant them in the garden now, as they are in pots at the moment.

Do I take them up, cut off the leaves and dry them out and plant the in the autumn, or would I kill them?

Sorry to ask so many questions,I am still learning.

Title: What do I do with these bulbs?
Post by: DD. on June 30, 2008, 22:04

Any chance of a photo so we know what we're talking about?

Title: What do I do with these bulbs?
Post by: gobs on June 30, 2008, 22:05

It would really help to know what they were. But failing that, to leave them alone is a good course of action, methinks. :lol:

Title: What do I do with these bulbs?
Post by: srush on June 30, 2008, 22:10

Sorry I cant get a photo as we have lost the lead for the camera.  :oops:

Sorry I am not very good at explaining, but the leaves are about 10" high and come up after I planted them in the pots.

Title: What do I do with these bulbs?
Post by: DD. on June 30, 2008, 22:22

Perhaps something like a gladiola or crocosmia? (Strictly speaking - a corm, not a bulb). They should be growing at this time of year.

Anything like this?

http://plant-disease.ippc.orst.edu/plant_images/GladiolusBotrytis.jpg

(Ignore the disease!!!)

Title: What do I do with these bulbs?
Post by: srush on June 30, 2008, 22:24

Quote from: "DD."

Perhaps something like a gladiola or crocosmia? (Strictly speaking - a corm, not a bulb). They should be growing at this time of year.

Anything like this?

http://plant-disease.ippc.orst.edu/plant_images/GladiolusBotrytis.jpg

(Ignore the disease!!!)

Yeah thats it, that what they look like.

Looks like the guy that gave them to me was as clueless as me then lol cheers for that, I will look these up!

Title: What do I do with these bulbs?
Post by: DD. on June 30, 2008, 22:31

Crocosmia is a similar leaf, but smaller, can be quite invasive.

I'd leave them in the pots for now.

I'm not a gladiola grower myself, but my grandfather was. I remember that when the leaves started to die down, the corms used to go on a sheet of newspaper in front of the open fire for a week or so.

When dried, the old, shriveled corm was twisted off the new one. They also produce small corms which can be grown on.