Getting started
Plant your bulbs as soon as possible. Until then keep them in a dry, cool and airy place. You can plant directly into the ground or into a pot. Planting into a pot gives you more control over the flowering time and avoiding extremes of weather, but either can be done.
Bulb |
When to plant |
After flowering |
|---|---|---|
| Daffodil | The best planting time for daffodils is mid to late September, but you can plant up to early December providing the ground is frost free. | Allow to die back after flowering before removing the leaves. They can be left in the ground all year round. |
| Tulip | The best planting time for tulips is November. | Allow to die back after flowering before removing the leaves. For best performance, they should be lifted after die back and stored in a cool dry place before replanting in November. |
Planting into the ground
Plant at a depth of 3 x the height of the bulb in a sunny or lightly shaded spot. Avoid a windy place. The soil should be moisture retentive but with good drainage (add grit) as daffodils do not like to be waterlogged.
Label the place you have planted the bulb and in spring keep a close eye on bud development as you may need to pick the flower before it is fully out (see Preparation for showing, below).
Planting into a pot
Ensure the pot you choose is deep enough for the bulb to sit about halfway down it but with the tip of the bulb well below the soil surface. Add crocks or broken polystyrene and grit to the bottom of the pot for drainage. Use good quality compost (preferably John Innes No. 3) mixed with grit or sharp sand. Place the bulb about halfway down the pot and top up with compost. The surface can be dressed with grit to avoid soil splashing onto the flowers.
Label and water. The pot needs to be kept outside, frost free and should not be allowed to dry out or become waterlogged. To avoid the pot freezing, wrap bubblewrap around its sides or plunge into the leaves, bark chips or a box of old compost.
Preparation for showing
Your bulb should be showing a flower bud by early April but depending on the weather you may need to bring it on or hold it back. Generally light and warmth will bring flowering forward and cold and dark will hold it back. A greenhouse, sunny porch or even a refrigerator can be used for this.
The aim for the show is a cut flower, fully out and in perfect condition.
Showtime
Bring your bloom to stage at the show according to the staging time shown in the Exhibitors’ Schedule. Let us know if you need help with staging.
Good luck. We hope you will continue to enjoy growing and showing .
