Bulb flowers in pot arrangement
You may not know some knowledge about bulb flowers. Let's take a look at the specific content with the editor!
Some flower friends are looking for bulb flower pot arrangement examples, hoping to learn inspiration for potting. It is not necessary to plant several bulb flowers in one layer, they can also be planted in layers. In this article, let's see how Haiyan Karen (Weibo ID) does the pot planting.
ps: The original text was pushed by Haiyan Karen (Weibo ID) to Photosynthesis (WeChat ID). Thanks to the author! Some parts of the text have been supplemented and explained for the understanding of flower friends.
The Italian lasagna planting method for bulb flowers is simply explained as planting bulb flowers with different blooming periods in layers in the same flower pot, similar to the layering technique of Italian lasagna. This method allows bulb flowers, which usually bloom for only two weeks, to keep blooming from late winter to spring in the same pot, making it very suitable for gardens and balconies with limited space.
I. Necessary Knowledge
1. Planting Temperature
Usually in the UK, when the autumn temperature drops to below 15℃, you can start outdoor planting of bulbs. The bulbs need to be in cold temperatures for their roots to develop properly. Taking tulips as an example, 5℃-14℃ can root, with 7℃-9℃ being the optimal temperature. Outdoor planting is generally not done indoors abroad, but it can be done on a balcony without heating in China. Planting can start in mid to late November in Beijing (other regions can adjust the timing according to temperature).
2. Pot Selection and Soil Preparation
In order to ensure that the same kind of flowers blooming at different times are full and beautiful, it is better to choose a larger pot. If the types include larger bulbs like tulips and daffodils, the diameter of the round pot should not be less than 25cm. If space is really limited, a method for planting small bulbs in a window box will be introduced later.
The soil for planting bulbs needs to be very loose and breathable. The nutrient soil sold in flower markets, mainly composed of peat and coconut bran, is more suitable. The soil directly dug from the garden needs to be improved before use.
3. Planting Method
Common bulb flowers such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, grape hyacinths, snowdrops, saffron, and netted irises can all be planted using the layering method. It is best to plant 3-4 layers in one pot. The planting depth of bulbs is generally three times the height of the bulb, the later the flowering, the deeper the planting, especially for tulips which prefer deep planting. But among tulips, the early flowering bulbs are slightly shorter in height than the late flowering ones and need to be planted shallower.
ps: It is recommended to understand the specific information of the purchased bulb flowers when buying them.
First, place a layer of broken tiles (or large ceramsite) at the bottom of the pot to help with ventilation and drainage, then cover with 4-5cm of soil, and you can start laying the first layer of bulbs, daffodils (some references suggest placing tulips at the bottom, both have been tried without difference): The picture is from the end of November in Beijing
Cover the top of the bulbs in the first layer with soil, and then you can lay the second layer of tulips:
Similarly, the third layer of saffron and grape hyacinths:
The fourth layer of snowdrops:
After covering this layer with soil and watering thoroughly, it is completed, you can cover some pearl rock stones for decoration. When planting bulbs in a pot using the layering method, there is no need to refer to the spacing instructions for ground planting, leave a little space close together, the pot arrangement will be more full and beautiful. The flower buds will find a way to drill out from various gaps in the soil.
4. Watering, Fertilizing, and Flower Management
If it's new nutrient soil, you don't need to apply base fertilizer. Lazy people can also not fertilize during the flowering period. Although many people say that bulbs retain enough nutrients to bloom, if there is no base fertilizer at all, the leaves and flowers will be relatively pale, and it is also not good for the bulb swelling after flowering to prepare for the next year.
No need to water much before the leaves emerge, once a week on a balcony around 10 degrees is enough. Too much watering can easily rot the roots. After entering the growing period, you can increase the water appropriately, usually once every 3 or 4 days.
Pay attention to temperature control during flowering. If you want to move it indoors for display, it's best to put it on a cooler balcony at night. Tulips can maintain their blooms for up to two weeks at temperatures of about 10 degrees, but they will fade in less than a week at room temperature.
II. Example of Bulb Flower Pot Arrangement
Below is the "Italian lasagna" planted at the end of November
Snowdrops about to bloom in mid-January:
Saffron in full bloom in mid-February:
A few days later, grape hyacinths enter full bloom:
At the beginning of March, daffodils open:
In mid-March, tulips take over:
5. Post-Flowering Management:
After flowering, the leaves will slowly turn yellow, please continue to water and fertilize, although the leaves are not very pleasant to look at, they are still manufacturing nutrients for the bulb swelling and storing strength for the next year's blooming, at least for six weeks. After the leaves turn yellow and wither, the bulbs will enter a dormant period for the summer. Water again when autumn comes next year.
6. Several Common Combinations
1) Large round pot combination: In addition to the above types, you can also try a three-layer combination of tulips, hyacinths, and saffron from deep to shallow.
2) Long window box combination: Suitable for smaller spaces, because the pot is small, the bulb flowers also need to be mini varieties, from deep to shallow mini daffodils (such as whispers, blazing etc.), netted irises (any variety), and saffron combination.
3) Other early spring flowers with bulb combination: Plant osmanthus, violas, primroses, etc. on top, and plant several layers of bulbs below, such as daffodils, tulips, etc.
The above is the full content of bulb flower pot arrangement (layered planting) hoping it can help you, and at the same time, I hope everyone comes to see more green plant flower experience and common sense!