Most Northern Bulbs Need Special Handling


	Most Northern Bulbs Need Special Handling

Short colorful crocus, vase-shaped tulips, yellow narcissus and fragrant hyacinths are just pictures in catalogues for many Florida gardeners. Some have tried to duplicate the Northern springtime displays with very little success - but this year could be different.

Locally, University of Florida researchers have some good news for home gardeners. They have found three daffodils that flower after a warm winter.

In plots established at the Mid Florida Research and Education Center near Apopka varieties Carlton, Golden Perfection and Silver Chimes have been reliable bloomers. They should give similar results in your yard.

Most gardeners also know they can flower the paper white type of narcissus in containers. These bulbs have a low chill requirement and flower within six to eight weeks after planting in a container of soil or set in moist pebbles in a container without hole in the bottom. They can also be added to the landscape.

Narcissus

Other Northern bulbs appear to need more cold than mild Florida winters can provide. Some gardeners report success just storing the bulbs in a brown bag for the cold treatment and then planting them in the ground. More reliable results are obtain when the bulbs are potted in containers of soil and then refrigerated.

There is only one trick. The refrigerator can not contain vegetables or fruits. These give off an ethylene gas that causes flower buds within the bulbs to abort. Following are some tips to help you enjoy your bulbs in the landscape after they have received the proper cold treatment.

	Select a sunny to lightly shaded site.
	Loosen the soil and work in liberal quantities of organic matter.
	Plant the bulbs 3 to 4 inches deep and 8 inches apart.
	Water to keep the soil moist.
	Add a thin layer of mulch.
	Give the garden site normal care.

October 2003 Plantings

Flowers: African daisy, alyssum, angelonia, ageratum, begonia, black-eyed Susan, blue
daze, calendula, candytuft, celosia, chrysanthemums, cleome, coleus, cornflower, cosmos,
dianthus, dusty miller, gaillardia, gazania, geraniums, gerbera, heliotrope, hollyhock,
impatiens, larkspur, lobelia, nicotiana, pentas, petunia, salvia, snapdragon, sunflower,
sweet pea, verbena and zinnia.

Vegetables: Beet, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, collards,
kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onion, peas, potato, radicchio, radish, rhubarb, roquette, rutabaga,
spinach, strawberry, Swiss chard and turnip

Herbs: Anise, basil, bay laurel, borage, cardamom, chervil, chives, coriander, dill, fennel,
garlic, lavender, lemon balm, lovage, mint, nasturtium, oregano, rosemary, sage, sweet
marjoram, tarragon, thyme and water cress.