Bulb potting mix

[mark smyth]

I know Ian's going to say "go check the bulb logs"

but .... for quick and easy reference, Ian, could you tell us the mix you use for bulbs in rough percentages of soil, grit, leaf mould. Thanks

[Maggi Young]

well, Mark, Maggi's saying it too! See bulb log no. 26 of 26/06/07 for potting stuff from this year...
http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/log2007/260607/log.html
there's more elsewhere, of course... but you don't REALLY need to be spoonfed, now, do you?
what is the Bulb Log if it is not a quick and easy reference?? Watch this space for an upcoming index....

[Maggi Young]

By volume, two parts gravel, one part leaf mould , two parts sharp sand.

[ChrisB]

Big help, thanks Maggi.  I don't have leaf mould but perhaps I'll try my wool compost, its got rotted bracken in it, instead.  Can I use this same formula for my newly obtained corydalis?  I know, I know, the bulb log, but I'm new and it takes a long time to read through four years worth.  Would cherish that index, but I know it must be tons of work.

[Maggi Young]

Actually, Chris, we use this same mix for everything we grow in pots. Extra leaf mould for the "woodsy" subjects, that's all. Life is quite complicated enough without having umpteen different potting mixes, I reckon!  After all, as Joe Cartman says, "it's only something to keep them upright" 

[mark smyth]

thanks Maggi. Just back from watching, dare I say?, the Big Brother final. Sad I know!

[mark smyth]

I think I'll have to start printing the weekly Bulb Logs if it's allowed

[ChrisB]

Thanx Maggi you're a star.  Must get on and pot them up now, and plunge into my sand bed for the winter.  Got them from Ruskans so want to treat them right 

[Carlo]

It wouldn't be a half bad idea to pull out all the gems of advice from the bulb log and put them into a FAQ or  similar document so that it'd all be in one, concise place.

[Lesley Cox]

  After all, as Joe Cartman says, "it's only something to keep them upright" 

I'm surprised Joe hasn't recommended potting mix then, when he's seen me after a bottle of red.

[Maggi Young]

I think I'll have to start printing the weekly Bulb Logs if it's allowed
Posted on: August 31, 2007, 10:56:23 PMPosted by: mark smyth 

well, of course, Mark, in fact MANY people tell us that that is what they do.

It wouldn't be a half bad idea to pull out all the gems of advice from the bulb log and put them into a FAQ or  similar document so that it'd all be in one, concise place.

I know Ian's going to say "go check the bulb logs"

Friends, I am well known for my sweet and friendly nature but sometimes I do have to get ratty and tell you off.
So, pin your ears back and pay attention, please:
The whole point about the Bulb Log is that it is a weekly record of what the Bulb Despot is up to, through the year in our Aberdeen, NorthEast Scotland, garden and glasshouses. Thus, with regular reading, (and I remind you that over thirtythousand people around the world read it every week)one can discover a timetable to bulb growing, in our climate. If your climate is similar, then you have a direct timetable, if you live, for instance, in the Southern Hemisphere, you will need to adjust the sequnce of months to your climate. Yes, there are now many years of Logs to consult but, since the whole thing is cyclical in nature, if one finds that compost mix is discussed in week X of year ZZ, then it is a safe bet to assume that other advice on the same subject is likely to be found in equivalent weeks of other years, or thereby, given minor seasonal variations.
(There are also articles in "The Rock Garden", where advice is condensed into handy sized chunks... I recommend them to you if you have back issues or if you have the CD of past Journals. )

Oh, my goodness, you've got me on a really grumpy day here, so, since I am getting so nicely into my stride, I'll keep going:
A straight Google search is liable to come up trumps with many items in the BulbLog or, to narrow the field, typing

site:http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog snowdrop
will let you use Google to search just the bulblog for e.g. snowdrop just change that to whatever you want.

We do know that a searchable Index would be a great addition to the BulbLog and, over the years, various kind readers have made their own indices, which we have not been able to adapt for the web, but, only the other day, a super index of years 2006 and 2007 (to date) has been sent to us by a Canadian Forumist who has made the index, primarily for his own use, but he has offered it for use to us all. We are in the process of arranging for this to be available.. as I said, watch this space!
We are immensely grateful to Len Rhind for his work in respect of this index.... as I am sure you all will be, too.

http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/index.pdf

Well, the sun has come out and I am feeling more charitable, so I'll turn off the rant button now and hope that none of you will take grave offence and stop speaking to me......but, honestly, if one has time to watch Big Brother  , then, surely five minutes research isn't too much to ask?

There's another reason to be cheerful today, that I nearly forgot... it's Luc's birthday !

[mark smyth]

what have I started!

[Maggi Young]

what have I started!

Not sure, Mark, though it may not just be Jonty who is going to be spanked !

[mark smyth]

Bwian, Bwian!!

[annew]

Just to prove I'm still speaking to you - Happy Bulb Monsoon Day!!!