Saturday, January 14, 2012

When is it OK to cut back dying foliage from already-gone bulb flowers?

Like tulips, daffodils, etc. I know it's important to leave for a while, as bulb draws nourishment from the leaves, or something like that...........but could someone explain a little more about that and tell me when it's ok to cut them off? They're terribly unsightly after a while!

When is it OK to cut back dying foliage from already-gone bulb flowers?
I am one of the belief that you keep it on as long as possible...I tie mine in a knot to keep them tidier looking in my garden...I do not cut them off , I just clean up all the dead when I do my fall or spring clean ups...I also like to plant the Bulbs with other perennials so that the foliage of the later blooming plants covers the wilting tulips/daffs/narc/etc.....
Reply:If the leaves are browning and drooping, it is OK to cut them back.I usually plant something to be showy and dramatic very close and people will notice the great blooms on the new plantings and not focus on the blemishes.
Reply:your right they do gain nourishment from the dying foliage so when they have finished turning colors but it wont hurt to cut them off when they are about 3/4 of the way done.
Reply:i can tell you what i do with my daffodils and tulip. after they finish flowering i tie them in a bunch with green string and leave them there until they go yellow. and then when i plant bedding plants i cut the bunch off . some people take the bulbs out i leave mine in the ground but best to take out.and plant them again in autumn.i hope this will help.
Reply:It is best to leave them until the beginning of June when the foliage has turned fully yellow. The reason it is best to leave them is so the bulbs have enough energy to form flowers for next year. Otherwise you will just get leaf growth. Also it is good to remove any dead flowers (if you haven't already) so that they don't start forming seeds. Otherwise the plants will put the energy into forming seeds this year, instead of flowers for next year.
Reply:You cut off the flower stem as soon as the flower has finished blooming. You keep the foliage. This enables the energy to go into your foliage and into the bulb itself. Keep the foliage all winter, to protect the bulb in the ground over winter. In spring when the foliage starts to come up again, it is safe to remove the old dead foliage.



Now, bulbs will multiply themselves. Depending on the type, tulip, daffodils, iris, etc. You will have to dig them out once every 5 - 7 years to thin out. You remove or break apart the bulbs, replant the bulb that looks young and fresh. This then enables the flower to continue to be big and beautiful.



You can share some of the other bulbs with your friends and family.
Reply:It completely depends on the type of bulb and where you live - for daffodils, they have to stay on until they are brown and dead - some people bend them into dorky looking little people with arms and legs, some people braid them, etc. Tulips - if you are in the south - alabama, texas, georgia, etc - yank them up, they won't ever flower again, it doesn't get cold enough. if you are up north, follow the same instructions as above. They are unsightly, but you can bend them over and secure them with a rubber band until they turn brown.



Again, not knowing where you are located or what types of plants they are I can't give good information.
Reply:After they die and turn color. They do need to stay on for a while thought because they provide nutrients for the plant for next years growth.


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