We are arranging a mass bulb-planting day at school in the week beginning 6th November. We have lots of old planters knocking around and some new grassy areas that need a bit of TLC since removing three mobile classrooms and having new playground added.
Anyway, the question is this: what kind of compost do you tend to use in pots for bulbs? One lady I spoke to at a garden centre said not to bother with bulb-fibre and to plant straight into multi-purpose. However, speaking to another garden centre worker at the weekend, she said that most garden centres were up-in-arms about the selling of multi-purpose compost because it doesn't have the nutrients in it to sustain good growth.
Now I am confused! We used MP compost two years ago, and apart from settling quite alarmingly in the tubs, we have had two reasonable years of growth. Can I reuse the bulbs from the tubs? What can I out on top of the compost to stop weeds/make them look nicer until/while the bulbs grow through?
Any other advice about planting in tubs? There are holes in the bottom for drainage, but do I need crocks/polystyrene in the bottom?
We have asked for donations of bulbs from parents (we are a large 2/3-form entry school with about 550 children and about 300 families), so I have no idea as yet how many bulbs there will be to plant. The local council have donated a huge sack of narcissus, so I have some to start with!
Sorry if this is a bit waffly. I am typing as I think of things!
If anyone can offer me any advice, I would really appreciate it. (And so would my boss!)
Thanks in advance.
Bob
Hiya!
Only bulbs I grow for myself are the edible ones 8), but read in Saturday's paper that bulbs in pots don't need 'special' bulb fibre - that the bulb itself contains its food store for the season? Spect others will come in with their views.
But what's really made me laugh is this old chestnut about crocks in the bottom of pots......."for drainage" it's usually said ;D ;D ;D Just love it.
No, they're not necessary at all. Certainly if you don't want to utilize the entire depth of the pot, bung in some whatever....stones, crocks, polystyrene before adding the soil. To stop the soil falling through the drainage hole, bung in some newspaper. Perfectly adequate & then when you empty the pot when the bulbs are over the paper can go on the compost heap with the soil.
Cheers!
bulb fibre should only really be used if you're growing bulbs indoors in pots as it allows good drainage and prevents bulbs from rotting in the indoor environment.
Outside....you can plant them straight into the ground or in pots with good drainage...as the bulbs will usually be in there a whole season before they bloom. and yea...all you need really is something to cover the hole that's chunky like broken pots or ruble or plastic....anything really.
again it depends on what you're planting as to what sort of drainage you need. if you're planting bulbs straight into the ground...certain bulbs like to have a thin layer of gravel or grit underneath them to help drainage. other will be fine.
and bulbs in MP compost will be fine. Bulbs only really get "wasted" if you grow them without soil....like when you grow hyacinths in a special vase with only water to sustain it's roots. and then it's got nothing to build it back up. But you can't go wrong with any type of well draining soil :)
Thanks for the replies! Good to know I don't have to spend a fortune on stuff I don't need!
All I need to do now is decide how to do this activity successfully with a huge group of children between 5 and 11 years old! ;D
If the tubs are quite deep then crock helps by reducing the amout of filling needed with the relatively expensive compost and using broken brick will give it some base weight, making it less likely to topple over or walk off!
8)
I use sieved leave mould or compost off the heap if you mix them both it takes on a fibrelike consistency. Drainage is essential in any pot. Stones broken pots, etc. If you use multi purpose mix some sharp sand in it.