What happens if I plant bulbs now?

Question

I live in Vermont, and have found a bunch of sale bulbs. They were dirt cheap, and gorgeous. What happens if I plant the bulbs today? I don't know how long they take to flower, but if they didn't flower this year (I'm sure they wouldn't, there is't too much of summer left) would they come up next year? I bought dalias, crocosmia, several types of lilies, and iris'.

Answer 1

usually they are planted in the late fall or early spring. I don't think it would bother them to be planted now, but you are right, probably no blooms this year but next year they should. You may get some greenery off them this year or even a small bloom. Good luck.

Answer 2

Your Lilies & Iris should be fine, thier bloom time has passed for this year (why they were so cheap) but they'll be nicely established for next season. Crocosmia does not like wet soil so be sure to plant it where you have well draining soil, it's hardy like the lilies & Iris & you may still get a bloom this year. Dahlias are a tender bulb & will need to be lifted & stored for the winter. They are also a summer bloomer & you may get some blooms, keep them fertilized for a better chance of it. Good Luck!

Answer 3

It really depends on the type of bulb. Many bulbs need to winter over in order to produce blooms. Most of your early spring bloomers fall into this catagory. Daffs, tulips, crocus, hyacynth, etc... I would not plant those type of bulbs in the spring as they will not have had a chance to root themselves in before the spring rains. Bulbs have a tendency to rot if kept wet for long periods of time if not activally growing. Your best bet would be to store them in a a shallow box with a inch or so of peat moss, in a cool dry area. Every few weeks change the portion of the bulb which is touching the peat and give them a slight misting of water. Do not allow the bulbs to touch eachother and if you notice any which are turning soft dispose of them.

Answer 4

I hope they have tags that tell you the zones they are hardy for. The dahlias will not be winter hardy unless you are zone 8 or warmer. This may also be true for the lilies. If the plants are not cold hardy for your zone they will need to be lifted & stored for the winter.
If you have the name and no zone look them up here: http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/
This is a sight with a huge listing with information on many types of bulbs and their cultural requirements. I have found they are a bit generous on their zone ratings. If they say it is just zone 7 hardy I found they needed a really sheltered spot to qualify as zone 7 hardy.

Bonemeal is a traditional fertilizer for bulbous plants that releases phosphorus slowly, but it is usually too low in nitrogen to be used alone. An additional source of nitrogen must be used together with bonemeal.
http://www.johnscheepers.com/index.html They sell Dutch Organic Bulb food (4-10-6 fertilizer). Do your own 4-10-6 with 2 parts blood meal + 6 parts bone meal + 9 parts greensand. Use 5-pound on about 125 square feet or about 500 bulbs (one heaping teaspoon per bulb). These can be bought at any nursery.

Iris should be planted so the tops of the rhizomes are exposed and the roots are spread out over a mound of soil, facing downward in the 5 inch deep hole. In very light soils or in extremely hot climates, covering the rhizome with 1 inch of soil may be desirable but a common mistake is to plant Iris too deeply. Poor flowering is normally due to planting in excessive shade, using excessive nitrogen heavy fertilizer, or planting the rhizomes too deep. They like near neutral pH in well drained soil.

You might grow the dahlia in a pot then store it indoors in the pot this winter. To ensure good growth put copper tape around the lip of the pot to bar slug access.
http://www.dahlias.net/dahwebpg/CultureIndex/Culture.htm
http://www.connecticutdahlia.com/CDS%20Dahlia%20Culture.htm

Answer 5

Planting them now won't do anything. Depending on what zone you are in, they may shrivel in the dirt unless you get regular rainfall or watering. Dahlias need lots of space between them and are tempermental about what depth they are burried. Make sure the Dahlia bulbs are planted LENGTH wise, not end up-down, with the tubers pointing up. They should get lots of sun.....All of your bulbs should get full sun, they will tolerate partial sun, but will yield smaller, later blooms. Crocus, Iris, and Lilies should get full sun. Fall planting is best though. you can keep them in a paper bag with shredded paper in a COOL, DRY environment until you are ready to plant. You should have a BEAUTIFUL yard in the spring.........Dahlias are a little late to start peeking up where Lilies and Iris will come up sooner, so be patient! ---Good luck!- this website has lots of great stuff for just about everything...great article for Dahlias too!

Answer 6

I would keep them in the basement untill fall then plant them

Answer 7

bulbs are on a kind of timeclock. They know what time of year to bloom.