New Bulb Planting Website - Dig Drop Done

As Fall is the ideal bulb planting time, why not launch a new bulb related website at the same time.

Dig Drop Done is great resource for all those who love bulbs in their garden.
It features a bulb catalog, planting tips, inspirational photo and video galleries, planting charts and more.

Art's Nursery carries a large selection of both spring and summer blooming bulbs, many of which are available now in Fall. Hurry in for best selection!

Forcing Paperwhite Daffodil Bulbs for Cheery Winter Blooms!



Paperwhite Daffodils (Narcissus)

 Paperwhites or Narcissus papyraceus are popular bulbs for forcing in the winter, and especially for Christmas.

They add sweet fragrance and cheerful blooms that brighten up those grey winter days, and are a great winter project for frustrated gardeners like me.

Paperwhites need no chilling period like other bulbs, and will bloom in 3 to 4 weeks from planting. So now is a great time to plant for Christmas blooms. By starting pots every few weeks you could have a continuous display all winter long!

Start with a container that is 3”–4” deep, and add 1”–2” of decorative stone, marbles or even plain gravel.

Place your paperwhite bulbs, pointed end up, on the stone, squeezing in as many as you can. I would use at least 5 bulbs for a good show.

Top up with more stones to the shoulder of the bulbs, and add water just to the base of the bulbs. Keep them cool ( 65 degrees F.), and once roots form put the container on a sunny windowsill. Check for water each day. When in flower try to keep them out of direct sunlight, and in a cool place again, at least at night. This helps the blooms last longer.

Sometimes the plants get a bit top heavy and flop. Tie the stalks together with a raffia or ribbon bow for a great Christmas accent.

When the blooms are finished cut back the flower stalks, but leave the leaves to die down naturally. When weather permits, you can plant your spent bulbs outside – they will bloom again in 2 – 3 years.

We carry a nice selection of  paperwhite bulbs available at Art’s Nursery along with pre-made artistic planters and ready to use kits which include bulbs, container, planting medium and instructions.

Paperwhites also make a great christmas gift!

Happy planting!

Lynne B.

Amaryllis - Plant Them Now For Winter Flowers!

Only the Poinsettia is more attached to the holidays than the Amaryllis. Forcing these beautiful flowers into bloom yourself is not hard to do and provides great satisfaction.

Also known by its latin name 'Hippeastrum', these flowering plants originally came from South America. Most varieties feature large flowers and solid colours, but many new varieties are multi-coloured like the pink and white combinations.




Choosing a Bulb

Size does matter! The larger the Amaryllis bulb, the more flowers it will produce.
Buy bulbs that are nice and heavy.


Planting
Amaryllis are purchased as a large bulb.They can be planted anytime between Fall and early spring, but they are best planted in October, November or even December if you want to have them blooming in time for the holidays.

Their flowers are long lasting, sometimes blooming well into May.

Use a good sized pot with a drainage hole, preferably one that is somewhat wider than the bulb. You should be able to place your finger between the bulb and the side of the pot. Fill the pot about half way with good potting soil.

Place the bulb in lukewarm water for a couple of hours. This will encourage the development of roots.

When handling the bulb, avoid damahing its roots. Place the bulb into the pot, and then continue adding soil, partially covering the bulb. You should be able to see at least half the bulb above the level of the soil surface. After planting, tamp down the soil firmly.


Growing Tips
The most important factor when growing Amaryllis is warmth. For this reason, place the plant in a warm sunlit space such as a windowsill. Don't water too much until you see the stem begin to appear and elongate. As soon as the bud leaves appear, the Amaryllis will require more and more water everyday.

Once the stem has grown upwards, flowering will begin. It normally takes 6-10 weeks for a potted bulb to flower. For added enjoyment, buy several Amaryllis and plant them several weeks apart. This will create a succession of beautiful blooms in your home.

Follow Up Care
Once the Amaryllis has finished flowering, cut away or remove the spent blooms. This will redirect the plants energy away from seed production and into preserving the remaining flowers for a longer time. Allow the leaves to grow and develop. Water regularly and apply a houseplant fertilizer.

In late summer, stop all watering. In early fall, trim foliage from the bulb and place the bulb, pot and all in a cool, dry place that is frost free. In several weeks, begin the cycle again.

Art's Nursery carries a nice selection of old classic Amaryllis varieties as well as exciting new ones. This year's line up includes:

Seminar: Designing With Bulbs

At Art's Nursery we want to help you become a better gardener. This fall we are offering a series of seminars designed to increase the beauty of your garden or containers. Please call 604.882.1201 in advance to sign-up.

Designing With Spring Bulbs.

Enjoy a beautiful container filled with lovely autumn hues followed by cheerful blossoms of spring bulbs. Come and join Michele and learn how to build multi-season planters filled with foliage and layers of bulbs for a long spring display. Makes a great gift or enjoy it yourself!

Saturday, Oct 16th - 11:00am

The sign-up fee for each person is $10.00 / seminar The entire amount will be credited towards the cost of materials you use in designing and creating your projects. Please sign-up by calling 604.882.1201 in advance as space may be limited.



For more information about planting bulbs and bulbs in containers,
we recommend the following book from Amazon.

4 Great Daffodil Bulbs For Your Garden

Bright golden yellow daffodils (Narcissus) are the quintessential flower for the spring garden. But did you know that daffodils come in thousands of different flavours? More correctly, these flavours are called 'cultivars' or cultivated varieties and vary in size, shape, colour, height, growth habit, bloom time and other characteristics.

This year, we're featuring four different locally grown daffodil varieties:

Saint Keverne

A beautiful early daffodil similar to the classic King Alfred types. Features
rich yellow flowers with a broad cup. The trumpet is held either horizontally or is slightly uptilted, and the perianth petals are angled forward. Grows to 18 inches high and flowers in early spring.

Ice King

A double form of daffodil, Ice King has white perianth, a lemon yellow collar  and a burst of lemony petals in the center. Yellow flowers turn creamy white as they mature. Ice King is showy and enduring in the landscape. Grows to 16 inches in height.

 

Accent

This daffodil is ivory white with a salmon-pink cup and has been a favourite for over 50 years. Grows to 16 inches. Blooms in early to mid spring. Deer and rodent resistant.

Yellow Salome

Yellow Salome is mid-height daffodil growing between 12-24 inches in height. It is yellow with a slightly orange cup. Blooms in mid to late spring. Deer and rodent resistant.

 

All of these varieties are available bulk, for $0.39 cents per bulb. A special volume price of 20 bulbs for $5.99 is available until the end of September.

Planting & Care
Daffodils are easy to grow and undemanding. Plant, fertilize and watch them grow. They are best purchased and planted in late summer through eearly fall. Make sure they are planted at least 5-8 inches deep and 2-6 inches apart. For best flowering, add bonemeal or top dress with a bulb food like our GardenPro brand.

Daffodils prefer rich, organic, well drained soils. Water regularly until blooms are finished and the foliage begins to die back. While summer foliage may be unsightly, wait until at least mid-summer before removing spent foliage. This allows the bulb to grow and store energy for future year. Full sun or light shade is best. Hardy in zones 3-9.

Daffodils are best used in borders, woodlands, meadows and even in containers. For best appearance, plant them in large groups or drifts.

For More Information
For more information about Daffodils, call or visit us today! The best selection of bulbs is in late summer and early fall.