bulb questions

dollparts

I have a couple of questions if someone could help?

I have just had some bulbs delivered-phlox paniculata I think is the name. They already have shoots and being anything but green fingered it has thrown me!

Since they already have shoots how do I go about making sure they are the right way up?

This made me think of another set of bulbs I planted a few weeks ago, they had short stumps attached which I presumed should be sticking out of the top of the soil. Well, 2/3 weeks later and nothing has happened. I get the feeling I have done something wrong and I've killed them before they have even had a sign of life?

It's alarming how much I don't know about any of this stuff.

Please help me!!

Zazen999

Bulbs usually have roots that will need to go down; and shoots that will need to go up. Roots are white, shoots are green [pretty much, simply put].

If no roots or shoots; the flat bit goes down and the more pointy end goes up. [again, very simply put].

Farway

dollparts wrote: »

This made me think of another set of bulbs I planted a few weeks ago, they had short stumps attached which I presumed should be sticking out of the top of the soil. Well, 2/3 weeks later and nothing has happened. I get the feeling I have done something wrong and I've killed them before they have even had a sign of life?

It's alarming how much I don't know about any of this stuff.

Please help me!!

What is the name of these bulbs?

Normally bulbs, real bulbs, not corms / tubers are planted twice the depth of the bulb, if you tell us the name we can no doubt help

dollparts

They were gyp bulbs, I have just gone out to have a look at them and the stumps look rather like parsnip skin and are the length and thickness of a cigarette.

Zazen999

Gyp bulbs??????

dollparts

oooook, judging from your reaction I must have my labels mixed up perhaps. In that case I'm not sure which ones they are.

Does the cigarette type stubs bear a resemblance to anything a bulb should be doing?

Am going off to the dunces corner to try and figure what I have planted where.....

Zazen999

I don't know what a gyp bulb is to be honest.....

dollparts

gypsophila paniculata (baby's breath)

and these are not the bulbs, IIRC but in seed form

serena

Phlox paniculata is a perennial plant, and so is gypsophila. I think you have bought bare root perennials, rather than bulbs.

I would plant the phlox so that the green bits are up - these will become stems and leaves. Look at them carefully. There should be a point at which you can see the change between roots and stems. Try to keep this joining point at or just below the soil level.

If you are really stuck, then plant them in pots for the moment, until you can see clearly roots coming out the bottom, and stems growing at the top.

I think maybe the gysophila are planted upside down - I think the parsnip like bits are roots. Try digging them up and planting the other way up...

These are not stupid questions - you are just a beginner. Are there any nearby keen gardeners whom you could ask for advice? I say that not because I'm unwilling to help, but it's often really easy to be shown!

dollparts

Thanks so much Serena, I was beginning to feel like the village idiot asking such questions!

I will turn the parsnipy things upside down and inspect the 'roots' and let you know what I find.

Will keep them in pots as you suggest.

I do hope it's not too late to save them, I really love gyp and was looking forward to having some for vases indoors. Hopefully all is not lost!

As for the phlox, I will get them out and have a good look. I will also ask a friend to pop over this week and hopefully she can help out with which end is which.

Wish me luck!

Farway

dollparts wrote: »

I do hope it's not too late to save them, I really love gyp and was looking forward to having some for vases indoors. Hopefully all is not lost!

Beware gypsophila indoors, not had it myself, but someone on Old Style board mentioned they had a florists spray indoors, and in the morning the room smelt of cat wee, without the help of a cat

Thought I would mention it just in case