Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: mark smyth on February 24, 2012, 07:25:25 PM
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Today the leaves were accidentally cut off a special bulb. They were removed at the neck of the bulb. Should I simply pot it with the neck showing so some photosynthesis can take place assuming the leaf bases will extend?
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Perhaps it depends on what the bulb is but in general I'd be inclined to pot or plant the bulb at its usual depth, perhaps dusting with sulphur as a precaution first. It will probably take longer to come through but if only the leaves were cut off, all should be well. Some things don't make more leaves in the same season. Again depending on what it is, you may not get more leaves until next year.
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a snowdrop :'(
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If I were a really nasty person then, maybe I'd say "Does it really matter?" I'll curl up in shame at the mere thought though. ;D
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Mark, my 'Snoopy' was eaten by a rabbit (?) right down to the bulb last year. I put it in pure sand and this year there are two good leaves, hopefully it will flower again next year.
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Shame on you Lesley :o
I'll do that Brian.
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Do forgive me Mark. Besides, I'm not really a nasty person so I didn't ACTUALLY think that. :)
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You're forgiven ;)
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For everyone with this accidental cut off, some important information. Specially with G.nivalis the cutoff leafy part usually makes another bulb.
This year I had while dividing big clumps some cut off. The very left one was a G.elwesii which just died. I planted them in pots with garden soil mixed with some sand and gravel up to the beginning green. I kept them moist during the spring. To make it more difficult for the plant, no removal of the flower. They did not grow too well above the ground, but were green throughout the season.
The other 4 made 5 new bulbs by may. The original bulbs will probably regrow the coming season.
I usually replant G.nivalis flat in an angel of 45 degrees to give such bulbs enough space. They very often do that, as you can see with the very right cut off.
Never throw a piece away ;) :D Its just another way of propagating rare snowdrops ;) These bulbs will have roots by now an probably one might even flower. We shall see the next season.
Some years ago I bought a small bouquett of Galanthus nivalis from an old woman. There was on big flower in it with four petals in the upper part. I pollinated it with one of my own beauties. It stayed green as long as the other ones planted in the open. The fruit grew and one ripe seed was in it. So never give up. I kept ist because I wanted to know if it would grow a bulb, which it did not. :-\ ;D