You are here:

Bulbs/New Guinea Impatient Bulbs

Advertisement

Expert: Long Island Gardener - 11/27/2007


Question
Hi! I live in zipcode area 19401 and I have a question regarding bulbs for New Guinea Impatients. I recently dug up the dead flowers from my flower bed outside and I found bulbs at the ends of the roots. I wanted to ask when I should plant these bulbs in order for my flowers to start blooming again? I've never worked with bulbs before so this is new to me. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Answer
Susan Dear, New Guinea Impatiens do not produce bulbs.  Perhaps you are growing something else -- or perhaps you had some wild onion growing among them?  Scratch the leaf and see how it smells.

You can root New Guinea Impatiens in a plain glass of water in bright light (no direct sun).  They'll root KABOOM!  No bulbs required.

Please explain a little more re your observations about these 'bulbs'.  rsvp!

Bulbs

All Answers

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Long Island Gardener

Expertise

Growing Tulips? Dahlias? Daffodils? Gladiolus? It doesn't get easier than bulbs and tubers. Once in a while, something goes wrong: The dreaded Narcissus Bulb Fly, which resembles a honeybee. Mosaic virus, which can ignite a field of tulips in a single season. Nematodes, lurking underground. Here on the North Shore of Long Island, the garden is full of surprises. If you live in the Northeast/Atlantic Coast, I can help you pick the right bulb for every season, indoors and out, and help you fertilize, bloom and harvest for home or work. How: I have degrees in related fields, but my best understanding is all learned from trial and error. For most of my 53 years I have been gardening somewhere. No matter what the problem, I've learned the best answers are always Organic -- Earth friendly, less expensive, healthier for people and pets, easier and cleaner than toxic liquids and powders that big chemical companies sell so smoothly.

Experience

Besides degrees in related fields, and a few favorite horticultural societies, I work as a docent at our local botanical gardens -- but it's the years of work in the garden that's the real test.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.