Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 3/8/2006

Question
I am in the Atlanta, GA area. I believe it is zone 7B.  I have just been given 60,000 nice bulbs. Tulips, Daffodils, Crocus, Alliums and many more types.  There are many different types of each category of bulbs.  All are spring flowering bulbs and in great shape.  A friend was able to purchase 1.5 million bulbs for his estate and gave me 60,000. He has already planted 1 million about 3 weeks ago.  I have already planted 7000 in two days and have many more to go. Should I continue planting now and continue until all are in the ground?  May takes weeks.  Also, what should I expect from these bulbs?  They are in great condition, not dry, rotted  and sprots already. I want to do what is best for the bulbs and there is a lot of value here. I have 17 acres and plenty of room to plant, just need time.  

Answer
Keep planting. Most of these bulbs should be planted in a spot which gets sun in spring (it can be shady in summer after decidious trees leaf out). In order of sun preference, plant alliums in the sunnier places. Crocus, tulips and daffodils can be planted in spots which has shade in summer.

Since most of these bulbs require 15-18 weeks of vernalization (cooling) they may not flower for you this year. Normally, you should plant in fall and during the winter the total number of days of temperatures below 40F (at 6" deep) should be 100-125. I doubt you will get this now. Some bulbs may flower, but most will not. That is ok, they should flower next year.

In spring, as the foilage appear above ground level, fertilize with an all purpose fertilizer (10-10-10 or 5-10-10, 10-20-20, etc). Fertilize again 6-8 weeks later (as the bulbs flower, or if they do not flower, based on above schedule). You should let the foilage die back naturally.eg do not cut the leaves off. Let them stay on as long as they want and do not restrict (braid, fold, etc). The green leaves will recharge the bulbs for next years blooms.

FYI, sprouting on spring flowering bulbs are not a good sign as such, but you should still have many bulbs which do very well.

My recommendation is to plant as fast as at all possible.