Expert: Long Island Gardener - 4/20/2008

Question
I live in eastern Washington & didn't get to plant all my bulbs this last fall. I stored them in a cool place can I still plant them this spring  or do I have to wait until fall again ?  also pulled out my geraniums in the fall when do I plant these ?

Answer
Tulips are rarely cooperative when it comes to Human error.  They are not cooperative when it comes to Human competence, so why should errors make them more accommodating?

Really, only the Species tulips (including the Early varieties) can be counted on to come back year after year.

Force these right now, and hope for the best.  Then plant for next year, and if you are really, really lucky, they may grow and bloom like they are supposed to.

The odds are always against you with Tulips anyway.  What do you have to lose?

Daffodils are a different story.  Their biggest enemies seem to be Nematodes and/or Narcissus Bulb Fly and/or Bulb Rot.  Nematodes are present in many species and require a new location for the Bulb.  The Bulb Fly is a honeybee-lookalike that lays its eggs just so, so that they hatch inside the Bulb and eat it from the inside out.  What a disappointment.  Grow them far away from my house, please, if you are growing these.  And don't take it personally if they do not do well.  This is one pesimistic post, isn't it?

Geraniums should go into pots and/or the ground asap.  Just add water at first; then later as they build up steam, you can fertilize with an all purpose concoction.

It is very tricky to over-winter Geraniums.  If you pulled this off, let me know and we will honor you with a special celebratory honorable mention all night long in tomorrow's q's and a's.  Keep in touch; your followups welcome.  Thanks for your question.

L.I.G.