Many flowers that grow in a greenhouse or conservatory produce swollen underground parts known as ‘bulbs’ which you can use for propagation. Sometimes gardeners use term ‘bulb’ for any underground plant part, however, this part can have different forms: true bulbs, corm, tuber, tuberous root and rhizome. All of the forms are plants storage organs.
The true bulbs have fleshy scales surrounding a central bud. They are divided into layers and often have a papery skin or tunic on the outside, similar to an onion. For example, true bulbs plants are Daffodils (Narcissus), Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis), Allium (Cultivated Onion), Tulips (Tulipa) and Snowdrop (Galanthus).
Bulb plants are first to flower in late winter or early spring when planted in fall. However, potted bulbs flower for about two to three weeks at best. The same flowering time is applicable for bulbs grown in ground. That is why many growers wonder what to do with bulbs in pots after flowering.
So, what to do with bulbs in pots after flowering?
Store the bulbs after flowering to plant them again in the garden in fall for flowering at Christmas. Keep in mind that bulbs in pots will not bloom a second time indoors after flowering. So you can either leave the bulbs in pots or remove them (then dry and put in bags) to store over winter.
There are two types of bulbs: hardy and half hardy plants. Hardy spring bulbs flower in the garden in late winter or early spring. They are among plants that you should not grow in a greenhouse. Hardy bulbs can be large and small.
You need to keep large bulbs in cold and dark place for 16 to 18 weeks to make the roots grow. This period is know as ‘chilling’. Which means that bulbs need a period of cold temperatures to stimulate biochemical response in the bulb which activates the embryonic flower so it starts developing.
A technique to grow bulbs indoors earlier in the season is called ‘forcing’. Forcing basically fakes chilling period. At home people put a few bulbs in refrigerator or unheated basement for 2 to 16 weeks depending on the bulb type. After the chill time provide bulbs with light and warmth for leaf and flower development.
You don’t need to force small bulbs. Just plant them in pots and place them outdoors. Wait until the flower buds are about to open and move them indoors. It is important to keep the compost moist at all times and the maximum temperature should be no higher than 60° – 65°F during the flowering period.
Half hardy plants don’t need a period to chill. These plants are Amaryllis and Paperwhite. These flowers are native to warm climates and don’t need a chilling period to trigger flowering. So just plant them in pots with soil and place in indirect light.
What to do with potted tulip bulbs after flowering?
The first step is to cut off the flowers but not the flower-stalks of potted tulips. Continue to water and feed potted tulip until stalks become dry and shriveled. Wait for them to die which approximately takes 6 weeks. They should turn dry and brown.
Then, you need to remove these stalks. It is enough to just gently pull them so they break from the bulbs and come out of the ground. Now you can either leave the bulbs in pots over winter outside or in a greenhouse as long as the temperature is not too far below freezing but will also not heat up during the day.
If you are living in cold regions, cover the bulbs in pot with 18 inches of mulch on top. Alternatively, you can remove the bulbs from the pot. Clean the dirt off the bulbs. Now you need to choose which bulbs you are going to keep.
Keep the bulbs of a good size (at least 10-12 cm in circumference) and the ones that are firm to touch. Discard bulbs that show signs of diseases. These usually have soft or rotten spots. Also, get rid of the bulbs that are damaged. Let them air dry on a piece of paper in a cool, dry and dark place.
Most of the time gardeners keep bulbs in paper bags in the garage or basement. You can also store bulbs in trays or net bags. Make sure that storage place is well-ventilated. Planting time for these bulbs is September-October for flowering in January-April.
What to do with daffodils after flowering in pots?
Although daffodil bulbs bloom once every year, they will do it annually for decades. So you shouldn’t throw away daffodil bulbs after flowering in pots unless they have soft or rotten spots. You can grow daffodils in the same pot from the same bulbs for three years. Just make sure that the container is deep enough.
Leave daffodil bulbs in pots after flowering. Add 1-2 oz. of fertilizer or bone meal and place the pot in a shady spot. Continue watering 1-2 times a week, generally when the soil dries out. Once the leaves die off, turn the pot on its side and let it dry out. Finally, move the pot to the usual place and let the bulbs go into chilling period.
