Heirloom Flower Bulbs What Are Heirloom Bulbs And How To Grow Them

Heirloom flower bulbs come from open-pollinated varieties that have survived for generations. They are in a sense the originals to those grown today – most of which are hybridized. While opinions may vary, antique garden plants are generally considered heirlooms if dated prior to the 1950s and earlier.

What are heirloom flowers?
How many bulbs do you plant in one hole?
Will old bulbs still grow?
How do flower bulbs grow?
Do heirloom seeds reproduce?
Where can I buy heirloom seeds?
What happens if bulbs are not planted deep enough?
Do bulbs need to be soaked before planting?
What happens if you plant bulbs upside down?
What happens if you plant bulbs in the spring?
How do you plant bulbs that have already been sprouted?
Do I have to dig up bulbs every year?

What are heirloom flowers?

One easy way to bring more fragrance back into your garden is with heirloom flowers, those old-fashioned open pollinated plants that were garden staples for years. The term heirloom generally refers to plants that are at least 50 years old and the seed has been passed down from gardener to gardener.

How many bulbs do you plant in one hole?

Planting multiple bulbs in the same hole is not a good idea. There should be one bulb per hole, spaced between 4 and 6 inches apart.

Will old bulbs still grow?

Most bulbs, if stored correctly, can be kept for about 12 months before needing to be planted. The longevity of flowering bulbs is largely determined by the adequacy of the storage provided.

How do flower bulbs grow?

Place the bulbs with the pointy-end up and with the roots down. If you're not sure of the top or bottom of the bulb, plant it on its side and it will find its way to the surface. Cover with soil and a light layer of mulch. Newly planted bulbs should be watered well to get settled in.

Do heirloom seeds reproduce?

Do heirloom seeds reproduce? Heirloom plants reproduce seeds that can be saved. Be aware that because of open pollination, heirlooms you intend to save seeds from should not be planted near other plants due to risk of cross-pollination.

Where can I buy heirloom seeds?

Where to Buy Heirloom Seeds

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. This is where I've ordered almost all of my seeds for over 7 years and I couldn't be happier. ...
Seed Savers Exchange. A non-profit community of folks who are dedicated to preserving seeds for the generations to come. ...
Territorial Seeds. ...
Johnny's Seeds. ...
Annie's Heirloom Seeds.

What happens if bulbs are not planted deep enough?

To plant flower bulbs too shallow can expose them to damaging temperature spiking. Planting flower bulbs too close together can cause root systems to strangle each other or cause them to dehydrate or starve due to limited water and nutrition.

Do bulbs need to be soaked before planting?

Soak fall-planted bulbs for 12 hours in warm water before planting. ... Soaking allows suitable bulbs to absorb enough water to begin growth immediately, saving two or three weeks of time. This is particularly helpful in northern climates, where early-arriving winter weather limits leisurely rooting.

What happens if you plant bulbs upside down?

It will still grow, even if it's upside-down, although the plant will be unnecessarily stressed and may eventually die if left upside-down. You can always dig up the bulb after it has finished flowering to see which side the leaves have emerged from (that's the top of the bulb).

What happens if you plant bulbs in the spring?

Waiting until spring to plant the bulbs will not satisfy these requirements, so spring-planted bulbs will likely not bloom this year. ... The bulbs likely won't bloom this spring, but they may bloom later in the summer, out of their normal sequence, or they may just wait until next year to bloom at the normal time.

How do you plant bulbs that have already been sprouted?

Dig a hole for the bulb, loosening the soil as you go. Then sprinkle some bulb fertilizer at the bottom of the hole. Bulbs should be placed in the ground with the root side down and the pointy end facing up. Since your bulbs have begun to sprout, you may wish to plant them on their side.

Do I have to dig up bulbs every year?

No law requires gardeners to dig up tulip bulbs each year, or at all. In fact, most bulbs prefer to stay in the ground, and, left in place, rebloom the following year. ... If you feel that your tulips aren't doing as well as they did last year, dig them up. But before you do, find out when to dig up tulips.