Today's Bulbs

These bulbs are blooming here today.

Bulb Clarification

The term "bulb" has been used generically here. But clarification is required lest I lead the reader astray.

Strictly speaking, a crocus is not a bulb but a corm - a compressed stem. It's similar to a bulb but has no scales. A nice visual can be seen at http://plantpropagation.com/corms.htm

However Galanthus is a true bulb or modified underground stem. A true bulb has scales attached at the basal plate.

Bulbs carry their own food within these underground stems and thus feeding them additional food is optional. Many give a sprinkling of bone meal or compost after the flowers have finished.

The true food they need is in the leaves that you must allow to die back naturally. Do not remove them until they have yellowed and will easily pull away when gently tugged. If flowering seems less than in previous years you probably need to lift and divide the bulbs or corms.

The word Crocus is the Greek name of saffron: Crocus sativus. Galanthus is from the Greek 'gala' for milk and 'anth' for flower referring to the white blooms.

Spring Bulbs.

Seems time to restart this blog since finally, after the long winter (not over yet - might still get snow) a smattering of bulbs have bloomed.

The Galanthus were first up, in mid-March.

Then the Crocus started to bloom during the first week of April. This is two weeks later than I've previously recorded their bloom. But it must have been tough to get through the heavy Easter snows.

The first week of April the crocus looked great but now are all gone:( They can take the cold so what happened? I wonder if the warmth, 73 degrees, of last Tuesday was too much for them? Or could it be that as I raked the oak leaves off of them I damaged them somehow?

These crocus usually bloom for at least three weeks and I miss them already and now have to wait for another year. Happily some daffodils are ready to pop!

MG Annuals in the Garden

Here are some pictures taken at the MG Garden on August 16, after the MG meeting. It looks great; thanks to all those who worked on it!

Pictures of the garden tour

Blooms

Week of August 27, 2007

Annuals: Allysum, Impatiens, Cosmos, Cleome, Angelonia, Salvia, NG Impatiens, Zinnias, Heliotrope

Perennials: Phlox, Rosa (but the Japanese Beetles get most), Veronica, Daylily (sporadic), Coreopsis, Gaura, Geranium (sporadic), Hydrangea, Knautia (sporadic, I cut it back), Verbena bonariensis, Kniphofia/torch lily (done mostly, one coming), Salvia, Rudbeckia, Sedum spectabiles, Perennial Ageratum, Hebe (or Heather?), Clematis.

Bulbs: Gladiolus (corm)

Seed Gathering Website

Wow - I missed a whole month of recording bloom times - go figure!

This post is about a great new (to me) website about saving seeds and since it 'tis the season I thought maybe somone would be interested. This sight gives pics of seed pods, seeds and seedlings. Even has wild flowers and weeds - invaluable!

http://theseedsite.co.uk