The most well known flower bulbs – daffodils and tulips bright colors, shining beauty and easy to grow

Bulbs are among the most popular of all flowering plants for the garden. Bulbs have long been renowned for their beauty, their hardiness and their variety. This article provides a small sampling of the many types of bulb plants available to the average gardener.

DaffodilThe daffodil may be the most easily recognizable of all bulb plants, and it rewards its gardener with a generous display of beautiful blooms. Besides the traditional white and yellow varieties, daffodils also come in shades of orange, apricot, pink and cream. Daffodil bulbs should be planted twice as deep as they are tall, and they should be spaced between six and eight inches apart. Daffodils benefit from full sun and regular watering during their growth and bloom periods.

Tulip Tulips may just be the most well known and easily recognized of all bulb plants. Indeed, in the minds of many tulips are synonymous with bulb plants. The tulip has long been prized for its beauty, and tulips continue to be one of the most popular types of flowers among casual gardeners and professional growers alike.

Muscari Armeniacum The muscari, or grape hyacinth, is one of the most popular of all bulb varieties, and it has been for many years. The grape hyacinth features narrow, grassy leaves that appear in the fall and can survive through the cold and snow of winter. The leaves of the grape hyacinth are small, urn shaped and blue in color, and they grow on attractive eight inch tall spikes. The flowers on the grape hyacinth bloom in the spring of the year, and these bulbs should be planted in the fall in order to bloom the spring. The bulbs of the grape hyacinth should be planted two inches deep and three inches apart for best results.

The grape hyacinth prefers full sun or light shade, and it benefits from regular watering during its growth and bloom cycles.

An Introduction to Flower Bulbs bright colors, shining beauty and easy to grow

Just about every flower gardener will work with bulb plants at one time or another. Bulbs are loved by gardeners for the ease with which they grow, their hardiness and the fact that they can bloom again and again for many consecutive seasons without the need to replant. With all these advantages, it is no wonder that bulb plants are so popular among both new and experienced gardeners.

Choosing the right bulbs, however, is one thing that many beginning gardeners have trouble with. After you develop and eye and feel for finding the best bulbs, however, you will be able to spot them from across the garden center.

When choosing bulbs for your garden, it is important to choose the firmest and largest bulbs. The size of the bulb is important, since large bulbs are more likely to provide many blooms. The firmness of the bulb is a good indication of its health, and bulbs that are soft or mushy are unlikely to bloom. Bulbs are particularly susceptible to water damage. It is important to choose a bulb that is not to soft, but it is also important to look for cracks or scars. Bulbs with cracks or scars may have become too dry to bloom. Likewise, any bulbs that have begun to spout roots should be avoided, as they are unlikely to bloom properly once planted.

How bulbs are planted in the garden is important as well. Most bulbs are best planted in the fall, most commonly in early to mid October. The goal is to get the bulbs into the ground six weeks before the ground begins to freeze, so obviously the best time to plant will vary from location to location.

Bulbs should be planted in a well prepared soil, and the depth they should be planted will be determined by the type of bulb. For example, crocus bulbs are generally planted four inches deep, daffodil and hyacinth bulbs six inches deep and tulip bulbs at a depth of eight inches.

How to divide bulbs properly?

One of the features of bulbs that make them so attractive is the ability for the gardener to divide their bulb plants to produce new growth, share with friends, or just plant in different areas of the landscape.

In addition, many bulb flowers become overgrown, and reducing the growth through dividing bulbs is the best way to get things back under control. It is generally easy to tell when a planting of bulbs needs to be divided. One sure sign is when a previously well blooming planting of bulbs has begun to provide only sparse blooms. Most times the culprit is overcrowding, and the solution is to divide those bulbs. Properly dividing the bulbs will reduce the overcrowding and allow the remaining bulbs to bloom for vibrantly.

The techniques used to divide bulbs depend on the exact type of bulb to be divided. There are actually five different types of bulb flowers - true bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes and tuberous roots. The techniques for dividing each type of bulb vary, so it is important to know which type you are working with. Any good gardening guide will tell you which type of bulb you have, and that information is usually provided when you buy the bulbs as well.

True bulbs To divide a true bulb, you should begin by carefully separating the original bulb from the smaller bulb growing at its base. When dividing lily bulbs, you should be careful to first remove the outer scales from the basal plate. After the outer scales are removed, the ends of the bulb should be dipped in a rooting hormone, and the bulb should be planted immediately.

How To Make Cut Flowers Last Longer

If you want to make your investment in the flowers you purchase at your local florist or any other location last then there are some things that you must do to ensure that they last.

A main cause of deterioration in flower vases is bacteria. Make sure your vase is clean and your water is pure, plus replace your water after 2-3 days. If any of the leaves lower down the stem are submerged under water, cut them off to prevent the spread of bacteria. Also, using floral food provided by your florist should kill harmful bugs and dirt.

The first thing that you want to do is cut off excessive leaves and greenery which will just suck up the water and nutrients that you want to go to your flowers. Next, cut the bottom of the stems on an angle to open the flowers up to receive the water and nutrients. As you place them in the vase you will want to criss-cross the stems to allow the flowers to be arranged more easily and present a fuller look.

For a taller floral arrangement you will want to use a slimmer and taller vase to make your flowers look better proportioned and last longer. Tulips and Gladiolas are a couple of types of flowers that work well in this type of situation. A tall arrangement really stands out and makes an impression.

Another trick that helps to make your floral arrangement look more natural is to cut the stems of the flowers at different heights. Doing this will allow your arrangement to mimic the look of a natural garden. Also use odd numbers of flowers, such as using 3 roses together or 5. Even numbers just don't work as effectively. If you use 5 roses for example, Place 3 together cut at different lengths near the bottom center of the vase and then two higher up.

Never place your flowers in bright or overheated areas in your home. This breeds bacteria and causes an excess water loss. Use a vase that is in proportion to the size and amount of flowers that you have ordered. This could create even more water loss that you are not aware of.

You can't go wrong with flowers as a gift but by following the tips above, the flowers will last longer. Be sure to teach the person you are giving the flowers to the tips so that your gift will be appreciated and enjoyed much longer.

The Secret To Caring For Your Flowers

Knowing some of a florist's secrets for flower care is the best means of ensuring a prolonged life for a healthy bouquet of flowers. The first thing to know about floral care is immediate care. You can compare a florist to a doctor in a maternity ward, checking that the newly arrived bundle is in good health and will stay that way. As soon as a floral shipment arrives, the florist gets to work, as immediate care is necessary for living plants.

As our world is becoming considerably more ecologically conscious, many florists use natural methods of prolonging the life of plants, which often turn out to be less expensive methods. If you are ecologically conscious, you may prefer knowing some natural tips for floral care. There are some secrets not widely known which offer great protection and life extension to your flowers, as well as some widely known old-wives tale type of tips, which often do have merit to them. Uncovering these secrets of the trade will simplify floral care and leave your flowers looking better for longer.

From the moment cut flowers are in your possession, you must take measures to care for them. Time is of the essence in these moments of primary care. Immediately place the flowers to soak in a bowl while you get yourself ready: find the appropriate vase, have the plant food at hand, find a strong pair of shears or a sharp knife, and room temperature water (on the cooler, rather than warmer, side).

Fill the vase, and add whatever plant food/anti-bacterial product you plan to use. Turn on the tap, and placing each stem under the running water, cut about an inch and a half off of each flower. It is important to keep the flower under a constant stream of water, as this will avoid air bubbles from forming, which temporarily cut off the water supply to the flower. Use either a knife or very sharp shears to cut the stems. It is a terrible mistake to cut with scissors as it will end up flattening the stem without cutting it. This will also damage the water supply from stem to flower.

When cutting, cut at an angle, as that makes greater surface area for the water to enter the stem. Cut off any leaves that will be under water, as left on the stems, they will begin to rot and promote bacterial growth. Keep your flowers out of direct sunlight and heat, and change the water often. These initial steps will ensure a healthy bouquet.

For those seeking natural means of protecting and caring for flowers, the only thing to avoid from the above-mentioned description of flower care will be the plant food and anti-bacterial preservative to keep the plants healthy. There are many natural formulas for those preferring to avoid the chemicals found in plant food. Water is the essential element for all of life to survive. So, ensuring that your plant gets the best water for it will ensure a longer life.

Soft, acidic water is best for flowers, as it optimizes the flowers' veins bringing up water to the rest of the plant. When you change the water daily, trim off a bit more of the stem to cut off any bacteria that may be living at the stem entrance, as well as reopen the stem's vein. Use a vase that allows room for the flowers. When flowers are packed together tightly, they have less air, and more chances of rotting. White sugar is really all that plants need for food, and can substitute plant food.

Old wives tales often turn out to be valuable natural care methods, so read on to learn about these. As silly as some old wives tales seem, this folklore often has a scientific basis, and should never be discarded off the bat. Instead of using the chemicals of plant food, throwing a copper penny into the vase really will help your plants, as copper is a natural fungicide which prevents the growth of yeast and fungus.

Acidic water is healthy for flowers, as it helps keep levels of bacteria in water low. While throwing an aspirin into the vase won't bring down a fever, it will help kill bacteria, as aspirin is acidic. Lemon juice or vinegar, with their strong acidity, works as well.

To finish up, let's divulge some little known secrets of the florists! Always keep your bouquets away from sources of electricity, as the waves emitted will dehydrate flowers. If you notice that your flowers are already dehydrated and weakening, there is a "miracle cure" hot water treatment. Wrap the ends of the stems in a newspaper, secured by a rubber band, and immerse into boiling water for about 20 seconds, followed immediately by immersion in cold water. This is known to bring life back to flowers by stimulating water absorption.

Another great tip that helps prevent wilting is to keep your flowers refrigerated (in water) for a few hours before displaying them. For instance, imagine flowers for weddings – it's often impossible to prepare the flowers the day of the wedding. So florists prepare them a day in advance, and keep them in a large fridge overnight.

Florists follow these time tested tips, and as a result, they show off beautiful, healthy flowers. You don't need to be a florist to show off your own beautiful flowers! Taking care of a bouquet can extend its life by as much as a few weeks, and the effort needed to achieve this is quite minimal. Remember that the most decisive moments of your flowers lifespan are the moments the flowers are first in your possession. Take good care upon receiving them, and they will thrive. In caring for them, many natural methods are just as useful as plant food and preservative, so they are worth looking into.

Lastly, don't ignore the folklore surrounding flower care, as it holds much wisdom and does improve a bouquet's health. As with all things natural and living, it is often the simplest things which are needed to stay healthy and strong. So keep your flowers watered and fed, and you'll have a healthy bouquet which will age beautifully!