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Bulbs/Question about bulbs and ground heat
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Question
I live in Southeast Florida. I planted bulbs in the front of our building. We had two 3 ft x 10 ft. spots on both sides of the front door, with nothing but weeds and sugar sand (quarts sand). We dug out about 12" of the sand, put top soil, planted 4 hedges, put down mulch. I went to a local dollar store that had bulbs for $1.00. Mostly gladiolas. So I planted about 36 bulbs on one side, 36 bulbs on the other side. One side gets FULL SUN most of the day, the other side is partially under a fire-escape stairs, so it gets FULL SUN for about 1/2 of the day (afternoon). And we water the plants and bulbs lightly each day.
OK, a month later, the full sun side is getting a LOT of bulb growth. The other side; NOTHING! One of the guys from work says that is because the ground is not hot enough under the stairs. But when summer comes, they will pop up too.
What do you think? And why do some plants make bulbs?
Thanks for the time.
Any moisture under that Fire Escape?
How hot is the soil?
Those glads BOTH have lots of soil?
If there WAS moisture, and the soil is warm, and there is real soil as you described for the hedges, I would reach down and remove one of those Glads. Make sure there's nothing funny going on down under the soil surface. Then let me know what you find. Thanks.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks for the advice. I will go look Monday and see how everything is. Yes, same soil on both sides. | ||
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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.
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