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HOW TO GROW SUMMER BULBS IN CONTAINERS

 

Summer blooming bulbs grow well in containers and they offer some unique advantages over more traditional plants such as Petunias and Geraniums. Annuals and perennials need time to develop a root system before they can start producing foliage and flowers. Bulbs contain a reserve of stored energy that helps them to get off to a fast start even in less than ideal growing conditions. Summer blooming bulbs thrive in heat and humidity and most will flower continuously from midsummer until late autumn. In fact, these high performing plants just keep getting better and better every month.

Growing summer blooming bulbs in containers is fun and surprisingly easy. Here are a few tips to help ensure your success:

SUN OR SHADE?

 

Like people, some summer flowering bulbs can take the sun and other can’t. Plants that prefer full sun grow best and flower most abundantly when they receive at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. In most cases, all day sun is ideal though in hot climates, even these sun lovers appreciate a little afternoon shade.

Bulbs that prefer partial shade need just 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. The filtered light beneath a tall shade tree may be bright enough to keep these plants happy without any direct sunlight. Generally, the more sunlight they receive the more foliage and flowers they’ll produce.

 

WHAT SIZE POT?

 

A small bulb can grow into a very large plant. One Begonia tuber will grow well in a 6 inch diameter pot. Yet the same size Canna Lily tuber could grow 5 feet tall and need a much larger pot. Container plants grow best when the pot is at least half the size of the mature plant. The larger the pot the less often you will need to water!

 

All pots and planters need to have drainage holes on the bottom so excess water can drain out and the soil won’t get soggy. Rest large pots on bricks or “pot feet” so extra water can easily drain away.

Dinnerplate Dahlias, full size Gladiolas and taller Lilies can be spectacular in containers. Just as in the garden, staking these plants helps keep the stems straight and supports the weight of the flowers. Make sure to choose a pot that is deep enough for several wood or bamboo stakes or a sturdy metal plant support.

 

 

WHAT TYPE OF SOIL?

 

For best results fill containers with a quality potting soil that is loose and light in texture. Pots and planters should not be filled with garden soil or straight compost which can get compacted and retain too much moisture.

 

Summer blooming bulbs are high energy plants that produce lots of foliage and flowers. To sustain rapid growth and abundant flowering they should be fertilized every 2 to 3 weeks throughout the growing season. Use a liquid all purpose fertiliser or sustained release fertiliser granules such as MiracleGro

​Spring / Summer

HOW TO START TUBEROUS BEGONIAS INDOORS

 

Tuberous begonias light up shady patios, porches and gardens with their extravagant, brilliantly coloured flowers. Begonias will thrive in hanging baskets, window boxes, pots and garden beds, and they bloom non-stop from summer through autumn.

Growing tuberous begonias is easy. Each tuber will produce a good-size plant with dozens of blooms. Like other plants from tropical climates, begonias grow best in warm weather. If you start begonia tubers indoors, several months before the last frost, your plants will be in full bloom by early summer.

 

USE POTS OR TRAYS

 

Begonia tubers are usually started in small, individual pots or seedling trays and are then transplanted into larger pots. If you want to avoid transplanting, use a 6” pot for 1 tuber, an 8” pot for 2 tubers and a 12” pot for 3 tubers.

Fill the pot or tray with at least 2 to 3” of moistened potting soil. Place a begonia tuber on the soil, hollow side up, and cover it with another 1 to 2” of soil. Water thoroughly.

 

KEEP THE TUBERS WARM & COSY

 

Begonia tubers will sprout quickly in a warm, humid environment. Keep the pots in a room where the temperature is at least 20°C. To increase humidity, cover the pots loosely with a clear plastic bag. Tubers can also be started inside a terrarium. The air around the tubers should be moist, but the soil should be kept relatively dry so the tuber doesn't rot.

Once the sprouts appear, move the pots to a warm sunny windowsill or put them under grow lights. Letting all the sprouts develop will give you a full, bushy plant with lots of flowers. If you'd rather get bigger flowers and are willing to have fewer blooms, you can pinch off all but a few of the young stems.

 

PLANT OUTDOORS FOR MONTHS OF COLOUR

 

When springtime temperatures have settled and all danger of frost has passed, your begonias can be moved outdoors. Gently remove the plants from their pots and replant them into a container that will give their roots plenty of room to develop. Adding compost to the growing mix will help retain moisture and add valuable nutrients. Fertilize every two weeks throughout the growing season, using a liquid, all-purpose fertilizer. Water as needed. It's best to let the top couple inches of soil get dry between watering. 

 

Autumn/Winter
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