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Perennial Bulbs
Geophytes, or perennial bulbs come in numerous
types: corms, tubers, tuberous roots, enlarged hypocotyls, rhizomes,
and true bulbs. Each looks differently, both externally and in their
internal structures, yet they are collectively and commonly known as
flower bulbs. Of special interest for this article will be perennial
bulbs specifically.
Perennial bulbs are special in that they can ˇ§perennializeˇ¨
ˇVcontinue to produce flowers for at least 3 years in a row, often
even longer, thus skirting the need for being replaced each year.
Beyond their hardiness, they can also be planted nearly anywhere.
For instance, in rock gardens, alongside low growing ground-cover
plants (i.e. ivy), in under plantings, alongside trees, shrubs, and
other similar woody perennials.
When planting perennial bulbs, know that just as there are numerous
types and so too are the planting instructions for each type. Yet
generally, most geophytes take the same basic care and precautions.
First, you must know the depth of a given geophyte. This is normally
between 12.5 centimeters and 20 centimeters (the less durable, the
deeper is the general rule). In doing this, give enough room for
each plant to grow not only up, but out, over the next 3 or 4 years.
Each species is different and requires a different radius of
expansion, which should be indicated when you purchase a given set
of bulbs.
A good way to ensure that water drains properly is to line the
ground with pumice, sand, or mulch that is mixed with the soil. One
of the more popular (and recent) methods of mulching involves using
the bark of pine trees (though pine chips will also do fine). As
well, lime may be added at approximately 4 or 5 pounds per square
yard, depending upon how acidic the soil is (6 to 6.5 being optimal
on the Ph scale).
Mulch serves not only to create air pockets and looseness to the
soil to allow for proper water drainage, but also allows new roots
to auto-correct the depth of perennial bulbs to their specific
needs. Moreover, despite the concept that perennial bulbs are next
to indestructible, the truth is that they too can suffer from deep
freeze and so the mulch acts as a form of insulation.
If you are hoping for flowers in the spring ˇVor early summer at the
latest, itˇ¦s important to plant them in the autumn to create a hardy
root system and to capture a correct amount of time in the cold.
Strangely enough, most bulbs must actually experience a certain
period of time in the cold (at least a month and a half with most
species, and even as long as 5 months in certain cases. This means
planting at the correct time as indicated on the instructions of
your specific perennial bulbs. One remedy around this for those
living closer to the equator is to leave the bulbs in the
refrigerator for a period of time.
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