Great Plains Gardening

By Edith Koeller

May 7, 2004

Depending on the amount of rainfall you received last week spring planting is, or about to be, underway. This moisture has certainly been a boost in the morale for gardeners and farmers alike. Hopefully the snow and freezing temperatures are behind us for another six months, but since this IS Colorado we all must keep our eye on the weather and soil temperatures and plant accordingly.

Recently, I received a catalog devoted to the fall planted bulbs that will be available for planting next fall and asking for orders to be sent now to ensure delivery at planting time. The pictures made one want to order immediately, however caution is prudent here. How many of you had successful show of flowers this spring? If you did, were the plants showing up in places that were eye catching? Would more bulbs be appropriate? Just something to be thinking about before ordering.

This week, though, I would like to comment about spring planted bulbs. As soon as the ground is dry enough it will be time to plant them. One year, I received 200 gladiolus bulbs for Mother’s Day but was unable to get them planted until late May. Fortunately they still produced many spikes of flowers despite the late planting. The best time to plant the spring bulbs is when all danger of freezing the new shoots is past. Among the most popular are the amaryllis, caladiums, cannas, callas, dahlias, gladiolus, lilies and tuberous begonias.

CSU Extension has a fact sheet #7.411 that has much information on this subject. I shall be quoting from this publication this week.

"Amaryllis blossoms range in color from pure white through various shades of pink to deep red. They are intolerant of frost and do not do well in cool soil. Because of this, it is customary to pot the bulbs and grow them inside at a constant 65 degrees, moving the pot outside in June and taking it inside in the fall. Store in a dry condition until spring;, when it is again started indoors."

"Caladiums are grown for their showy foliage, ranging from white to red, with many beautiful leaf patterns in the tradition of coleus. They do best in shaded or semi-shaded areas well supplied with humus and moisture. After frost, dig the bulbs and store in a cool place to replant in the spring."

"Cannas range in color from ivory and yellow through rose and salmon to crimson and scarlet. The foliage is either green or bronze. Plant the roots 6 inches deep and 18 inches apart in late spring. After frost kills the foliage, dig and store the roots over winter much the same as dahlias."

"Dahlias come in nearly every color except blue. The typical dahlia reaches a height of 6 feet and requires support, usually provided by a stake driven 12 inches into the ground and 6 inches behind the root at the time of planting. After the stalks are killed by frost, remove them, leaving a 5-inch stub. The roots should remain in the ground for two weeks to thoroughly risen before being dug. Dig carefully so the roots do not break away from the clump, which results in blind roots. A blind root has no eye and therefore cannot produce a shoot. Dry the roots enough to shake the soil from them, then pack in sawdust, perlite, or vermiculite and store in a cool, dry place until spring."

"Callas are available in colors ranging from white to yellow to pink. The flowers consist of a center spike with a single petal, which is cut low on one side and is a characteristic feature of the species. They produce from roots planted in the spring and should be handled similarly to tuberous begonias."

"Tuberous begonias are found in colors ranging from white through yellow and orange to deep red. Their flowers are primarily double. Plant the roots, which may be 1½ inches in diameter, 4 inches deep in a semi-shaded area. They do best in a soil with a high organic matter content that is kept relatively moist. After frost dug the root, pack in sawdust and store under cool but frost-free conditions for replanting in the spring."

"Lilies are available in several types and in colors ranging from white and yellow to deep red. While lilies are perennial, not all of them endure Colorado winters. If unsure of the hardiness of a particular lily, dig a portion of the plants, pack the bulbs, roots or rhizomes in sawdust, vermiculite or perlite, and store in a frost-free location during the winter. They may be replanted in the spring. The plants remaining in the garden should be mulched to help them through the winter. The general rule is to plant the bulb to a depth of three times its height."

"Gladiolus are available in nearly every color. Plant the corms 3 inches deep and 6 inches apart in the spring after danger of freezing the shoots has passed. During the growing season, the original corm withers and a new one forms on top of it. The cutting of flowers does not inhibit the development to the new corm as long as leaves are not removed with the flower. As soon as the tops die down, dig the corms. Remove the withered corms and tops and store the new corms in a frost-free location over winter."

Selection of bulbs for planting is best in early spring. I was in Denver in March and saw many kinds in the garden centers, but they were also beginning to grow. I did not purchase them for that reason, since I knew it would be a couple of months before planting time here. At the present time, if I saw bulbs for sale in that condition, I would not hesitate to buy them.

To prepare your soil before planting the bulbs, apply a 5-10-5 fertilizer. Where compost is available, apply 1 inch dressing over the ground before working.

Until next time…