Bulb Log 2017

[David Nicholson]

Most impressed by your sand-bed experiment in the Bulb House Ian. Did you have to strengthen your staging at all or did you just add extra sand to that existing in your plunges?

Lovely little Cyclamen mirabile too. I noticed that you leave a larger amount of the tuber above the top dressing than I do with mine. I normally cover mine with grit. Is this something you have evolved to suit your particular conditions and am I making a mistake?

[Ian Y]

David, I did not strengthen the staging it is carrying around the same weight as it did when filled with pots - I am also impressed with the way the bulbs are growing so well.
As for the Cyclamen I have some where the tuber is buried others where it breaks the surface so I have no firm rule.

[Ian Y]

 Art and the garden in this Bulb Log.



http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Oct251508925749BULB_LOG_4317.pdf

[fermi de Sousa]

A fascinating Bulblog, Ian.
I've appreciated your artistic eye in the garden and in your artwork - all part of the creative way of life.
cheers
fermi

[David Nicholson]

I enjoyed it a lot Ian. Having not a jot of artistic ability in my make-up I can only marvel. I have a friend who is totally deaf and has been from a very early age but has a wonderfully artistic eye both in his garden, his drawing and painting and indeed his needlework.

[Ian Y]

Thank you Fermi and David for your kind comments and support.

[barnclos]

I'm like David - completely devoid of any artistic competence - but as the saying goes, 'I know what I like." And I liked this bulb log a lot.

[Ian Y]

The last embers of autumn, out of season flowers plus more Crocus in this Bulb Log.


http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Nov011509536307BULB_LOG_4417.pdf

[tonyg]

Another interesting log.  I have had seed on Eucomis bicolor, a few self sown babies around but this year I set out to collect seed.  Not many capsules, not many seeds in each either and they open to release the seed while the capsule is still greenish and fleshy so I missed quite a few chances.  Maybe it is not very self fertile?  Or is it just at the edge of it's growing tolerance in the UK? 

[Ian Y]

I'm like David - completely devoid of any artistic competence - but as the saying goes, 'I know what I like." And I liked this bulb log a lot.

Than you David for your kind comments, it is always good to receive feedback.

Another interesting log.  I have had seed on Eucomis bicolor, a few self sown babies around but this year I set out to collect seed.  Not many capsules, not many seeds in each either and they open to release the seed while the capsule is still greenish and fleshy so I missed quite a few chances.  Maybe it is not very self fertile?  Or is it just at the edge of it's growing tolerance in the UK? 

While Eucomis bicolor has proven hardy, we have grown it outside for 30 plus years,   I suspect the lack of seed could be down to the fact that by the time the seeds would be developing our temperatures are falling too low.

[Ian Y]

Bulb Log where autumn comes to a close revealing the winter garden.



http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Nov081510140047LOG_4517.pdf

[Ian Y]

Bad weather and dark days kept me out of the garden most of this week so this Bulb Log looks back at the construction, planting and flowering of the bulb house sand beds.


http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Nov151510745134BULB_LOG_4617.pdf

[ian mcdonald]

It is a good system you have there ian. Do you use the space under the beds?

[Ian Y]

Yes Ian I use it for various purposes see link below

http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2013Aug141376478049BULB_LOG_3313.pdf

[Paul Cumbleton]

It's really useful to have all this pulled together into one log Ian, thanks so much. You've been doing this a couple of years longer than I so it will be interesting to compare results over time. Like you I have also pondered what effect the old decomposing roots will have. One difference between yours & mine is that you have no topdressing - was this choice for any specific reason?

So far the only down side to planting out like this that makes me slightly uncomfortable is not being able to see the health or otherwise of the bulbs each year like you can when re-potting annually.
But otherwise, like you, I am so far very happy with the results. I will be converting another couple of plunges next summer.

Cheers
Paul