Quick bulb division by shallow planting

[Diane Whitehead]

I remember Ian mentioned this a few years ago but I don't know exactly when.

I'd like to try this as it would be so much easier than chopping up a bulb.

If I buy a new snowdrop bulb and plant it in a pot with the tip just barely covered by soil, will it flower and then start to make lots of bulblets during the same winter?

Would this work by planting in the garden instead of a pot?

Or if I scrape soil from above a bulb that's been in the garden for a few years?

Diane

[Maggi Young]

Ian hasn't tried this in the garden.  It works by putting the bulb under stress - it wouldn't be a good idea to plant it with the tip above the soil surface - rather a little below, though not as deep as you would ordinarily to plant a bulb "properly".  Good luck!