1. Success with Bulbs! By Linda Landrum Regional Specialized Agent North Florida Research and Education Center - Suwannee Valley

2. Exactly what is a bulb?  Plants with thickened underground storage organs enabling them to survive hostile growing conditions

3. The different types of bulbs are:  True bulb –Tunic Amaryllis –Non-tunicate Lilies

4. The different types of bulbs are:  Corm Gladiolus Crocosmia

5. The different types of bulbs are:  Tuber Caladium

6. The different types of bulbs are:  Tuberous roots Dahlias

7. The different types of bulbs are:  Rhizomes Iris Ginger

8. When Choosing Bulbs, Look for:  Few or no pest problems  Suited to most soil types, wet or dry  Persistent; either evergreen or comes back with “enthusiasm”after winter  Adapted to USDA hardiness zone 9 and AHS heat zone 9  Relatively easy to locate

9. When Choosing Bulbs, Look for:  Long season of color; either blooms, colorful foliage or other features such as berries or seed pods  Little or no maintenance required  Moderately spreading and easily propagated  Despite what you do, they still survive !

10. When selecting:  Consider –Lighting –Soil type –Cost –Does it need to be evergreen?

11. When selecting:  How will the plant be used? –Massed bedding for color –Adding a tropical look –Vine for accent –To attract butterflies and birds –For cut flowers and foliage

12. Getting Started  Select the appropriate plant  Determine the number of plants needed depending on spacing  Check plants for healthy roots and firm bulbs

13. Getting Started  Enrich the soil -Add as much organic debris as possible -Add 1 ½ lbs of fertilizer per 100 sq. feet 1-2-2 ratio for flowering 2-1-2 ratio for foliage  Adjust the pH  Place bulbs in drifts, not rows  Plant at proper depth, water and mulch

14. Once Planted  Fertilize once or twice during growing season  Water to maintain even moisture –Water shortage during growth periods could be deadly to the plant  Remove spent blooms before seeds are produced

15. Once Planted  Be watchful for insect and disease problems –Correct quickly when spotted  Digging and resetting bulbs may be necessary depending on the type  ENJOY!

16. Some of My Favorites Favorites

17. Achimenes

18. African African Hosta Hosta

19. Agapanthus

20. Alocasia, Colocasia & Xanthosoma

21. Alpinia

22. Blackberry Lily

23. Caladium

24. Canna

25. Crinum

26. DianellaDianella

27. Gloriosa

28. Hymenocallis

29. IrisIris

30. Moraea (Dietes)

31. Tulbaghia

32. Zephranthes

33. Thank You  For more information visit the Small Farms web at http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu  Take a virtual field day tour by visiting the Virtual Field Day web at http://vfd.ifas.ufl.edu http://vfd.ifas.ufl.edu This presentation brought to you by the Small Farms/Alternative Enterprises Focus Team.