Autumn-Season 2008 begins

[mark smyth]

From time to time someone visiting will ask for a bulb during the flowering season so I lift a pot. I'm all for supplying when they are dormant. There have always been a mass of roots inside the pond pot

[Ian Y]

It does not really matter if the roots get out of the mesh pot or not the important part is that there is free movement of moisture between the pot and the ground it is planted in, it is easy to tie a label to the basket to keep clones separate and when you do go to lift the dormant bulbs they are easily found and not damaged by a prodding spade.

I have always found that the roots will easily penetrate the mesh, no matter how fine, if they want to - in fact Eryhtronium bulbs are capable of escaping through the bottom via the 1mm mesh.

Generally most bulbs and their roots are content to stay within the pot because they have sufficient moisture and nutrients available and do not need to go searching.

[mark smyth]

I never thought that my bulbs are happy. I feel I should repot them anyway because some are congested

[steve owen]

Folks
Very helpful, thanks. So helpful in fact that here is your next starter for 10. One school of thought seems to say that Galanthus does best in poor soil, another that feeding is good. So once I get these aquatic containers home, I know that the compost mix has to be gritty and free-draining, but should the mix include food or do I avoid feeding like the plague? Thanks again
Steve

[David Nicholson]

Steve, please don't feel hurt by this but has anyone ever said that you bear a strong resemblance to Harold in 'Neighbours' 

[mark smyth]

Harold Bishop

[Ian Y]

Steve, when I am using plunge baskets in the open garden I usually use the garden soil with some added leafmould - I should add that our soil is very sandy.

All bulbs need feeding so I also add some bone meal to planting soil and supplement with potassium when the flowers fade - check out http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/log2005/160205/log.html for more details of my feeding regime.

If I am plunging into sand beds I use my normal grirtty mix again with bone meal added.

[mark smyth]

Ian you and the forum get a mention at all my lectures that include bulbs

[Paddy Tobin]

David Nicholson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What has your life come to? Watching "Neighbours"!

Sad, very sad!

Paddy

[steve owen]

David
Is this any better?
Steve

[David Nicholson]

David Nicholson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What has your life come to? Watching "Neighbours"!

Sad, very sad!

Paddy

Not guilty mi Lud. I've never seen an episode just something I see whilst passing on to something more meaningful like the 6PM News!

[David Nicholson]

Biggles? 

[steve owen]

Ian
Thanks, I went to your link and downloaded the article.

[Maggi Young]

Steve, your aviator photo was TOO good a chance to pass up... you are henceforth nicknamed "Biggles".... see your profile section of your posts.....


Such fun, sometimes it takes AGES for me to find a good nickname!

[Anthony Darby]

Folks
Advice please. The use of aquatic baskets for planting galanthus has been mentioned on at least two SRGC threads. Where are these containers to be obtained? Are there different sizes? And once the bulbs have gone in, is some netting over the open top desirable to deter mice/squirrels? Thanks,

I've never had mice nor squirrels go for snowdrop bulbs. Crocus corms - now that's a different kettle of fish.