July 24, 2009, Newsletter Issue #273: Empty Glasshouse Blues.

Tip of the Week

Don´t want to heat your glasshouse over winter, but would like to grow something colorful over the winter/early spring period. Hardy spring bulbs could be the answer you are looking for.
Bulbs grown with the protection of a cold glasshouse will flower a full month earlier and as they are totally unaffected by the elements ,reach a state of perfection rarerly achieved outdoors.Sounds tempting, well ,read on for the technique.
Between September and late November, pot up bulbs batches to provide a continuation of color.
Use any universal seed/potting compost 6"or 7" pots for the larger flowering tulips and daffs, 5"dwarf pots for smaller bulbs.
Place them in a shelteed spot outdoors and cover the pots withh a 6"layer of peat or used potting compost,( This is called a plunge bed).After twelve weeks , carefully scrape back the covering and if the new shoots are 2" long for large bulbs or 1"long for small types, bring in to the glasshouse.
Gently remove any peat stuck to the new shoots by washing off with a watering can and rose.
Cover the pots with newspaper till the shoots turn from yellow to green and water when necessary.your glasshouse will be full of perfect blooms during February and March.
Types of bulbs to use:
Narcissus, Tulips,crocus, Iris reticulata ,Hyacinths, Scillas, Puschkinias, Chionodoxias, Muscari and Fritilaria meleagris.

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