Crown

[Old_Geezer]

A quick question. I have bought a bulb which apparently needs the crown exposed when planting. But what is the crown ?

I looked on the Net and all the gardening websites seem to say is, "the area where the stems join the root", so that means all of the bulb then since they join either end of the bulb. So... I can plant it sat on the surface with just the roots in the ground, or buried up to it's neck with just the stem above according to the one and only description everyone seems to use.

I'd guess the bulb must be mostly underground but would like confirmation before I start.

(One other question, why it it that EVERY plant needs well drained soil when everyone knows that the whole of everyone's garden in the UK is waterlogged clay ?)

Actually, whilst I write I realise that do have yet another question. If one has planted a load of seeds and bulbs and plants in a border earlier, how does one dig a hole to add another without disturbing everything that went before ? It seems so "cruel" to be disturbing what's there, and annoying if it kills it off.

[spathiphyllum]

Like this but a touch deeper

https://www.henrystreet.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Bulb-garden3.jpg

[Old_Geezer]

Cheers.

It's interesting as, when I planted the tulips, everything was a lot deeper. In fact the website I looked at was advocating 2 layers so one appeared before the other. I guess all plants like different things though.

[spathiphyllum]

Putting the bulb a bit deeper won't harm it, in fact in most cases it's better for it. The plant will still grow to the light and the slightly deeper it is the more secure it is, and warmer.

Regarding disturbing what's there, you can move plants just make sure to get as much roots with them as possible, they don't mind being slightly disturbed but it's getting quite cold, try not to allow small plants to frost, so keeping them all together might be best.

Well drained soil basically means don't drown it lol

[Buenchico]

>>> everyone knows that the whole of everyone's garden in the UK is waterlogged clay ?

For a somewhat more accurate analysis of soil types, see the map here
http://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/index.cfm
(Click 'Soil descriptions' to view the colour key)

(PS: Youtube probably has a video or two showing exactly how to plant the particular types of bulbs you're interested in)

[maggiebee]

OG, not a direct answer to your question but it may interest you. I took Monty Don's advice last year and planted my bulbs in layers in a large planter. Deepest went the tulips - layer of compost - then daffodils - layer of compost and finally crocuses with a final covering of compost.
Great display.

[spathiphyllum]

In theory you can't put a bulb too deep.. they'll just take a while to emerge. Not all bulbs are the same shape and size, so they should be buried at different depths according to bulb size.

However, it's important to remember that if you don't bury it deep enough, the winter weather could destroy small growth. If it's slightly deeper, the stem gets a few more CM to strengthen ready for the cold air.

[Palustris]

Sorry to disagree with Spathy, but you can plant bulbs too deeply. Nerines, Crinums and one or two others will rot away if the top fifth say of the bulb is not exposed to the sun. They need that part of the bulb to be baked to initiate flowering.
The Soil type map is very useful in general terms, but it is not exact. For example, my soil is a peaty silt over a layer of sand, but 500 metres away the soil is solid boulder clay. The map shows our area as being all clay.

[Old_Geezer]

:-) Thanks all. Just back from garden centre with horticultural sand & grit to try to combat the natural soil. All I know is that every garden I've owned or planted in had the same heavy stuff to be dug, but some, like the one here, has more than it's share of larger stones too.

[rowanwitch]

I collected all the big stones when I had soil like that and used them as a dry riverbed. Seriously though the crown of a bulb is the bit from where it starts to narrow to the bit the shoot comes out.

When I was gardening on that type though all my bulbs went in planters, or the raised beds

[Old_Geezer]

Cheers. Now planted. Hope not too deep, the top just sticks out. Fingers crossed.

[spathiphyllum]

How are they going OG?

[Old_Geezer]

Oh, didn't check earlier. It's planted near the front gate, but not seen anything noticable yet. Probably still too cold/early. At least that's what I hope is the reason. Thanks.