Transplanting means moving a plant from one location to another. Sometimes this is done simply because the gardener prefers to change position for the plant. Other times, there is a need to move the plant. In the case of bulbs, this is common because the bulbs reproduce themselves by generating small bulbs as the offspring of the mother plant. When this happens, it may be necessary to divide the bulbs in order to maximize their performance by thinning out the bunch. To ensure a successful transplant to your bulbs, you need to first prepare them and then plant them properly.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Prepare the Bulbs for Transplant
Step 1. Transplant the bulbs when they are visible to avoid damaging them
It is always easier to move bulbs when you know where they are, so gardeners usually try to transplant bulb plants when part of the plant is visible above the ground.
- After flowering, the plant will focus on the nutrition it needs to sustain it through the winter.
- For this reason, you need to avoid cutting green foliage as this deprives the plant of the ability to feed and store energy through sunlight to survive the winter.
Step 2. Transplant the bulbs in the fall for best results
It is always best to transplant the bulbs in the fall after the foliage has wilted and is yellow.
- You can also move the bulbs in spring but remember never to cut or damage the green shoots.
- If you move them in the spring, take special care not to damage the roots that are growing at this time.
Step 3. Dig the bulbs gently to ensure their health
The trick when digging up bulbs is to avoid damaging the main bulb and to preserve as much of the root structure as possible.
- This can be quite difficult to do.
- Careful handling is always required when moving bulbs from one place to another.
Step 4. Try to find out the depth of the bulbs to avoid damaging them
When planting a bulb, you should always do it to a depth of several times the height of the bulb. So when you have to dig, you have an idea of how deep you need to dig to avoid damaging the bulb with the spade.
- Three times the height of the bulb is the usual depth for planting.
- In addition, the bulbs often creep deeper into the ground over time, and this means that they can be found deeper than the initial one.
- For example, larger bulbs such as tulips or daffodils will usually be planted about 20 centimeters deep. It is best to assume that they are 30 centimeters deep to be safe.
Step 5. Separate the bulbs before transplanting
Bulbous plants reproduce by dividing the parent's original bulb into several child bulbs, known as scions. This happens over a certain period of years.
- If you notice that the bulb has formed a cluster of small bulbs, gently separate them with your fingers.
- The new bulbs can be planted separately and this is a good way to increase your bulb storage.
- This will also help not to damage neighboring bulbs by destroying their roots.
Step 6. Plant the bulbs in well-drained, sunny soil and let them bloom
Bulbs are usually fairly easy plants to grow, but they will appreciate a sunny, well-drained site. Avoid planting bulbs in places where puddles form that are not easily absorbed after rainfall.
- Try to squeeze a handful of damp earth with your hand.
- If a sticky mass forms when you squeeze, rather than crumble, then your garden soil can contain a lot of clay.
- If that's the case, it's a good idea to incorporate lots of gravel or organic matter into the soil to improve drainage.
- Do this before planting the bulbs.
- Regardless of the type of soil, the bulbs will appreciate the abundance of organic matter like a well-decomposed manure incorporated when you plant.
Method 2 of 2: Replant the Bulbs
Step 1. Store the bulbs properly to prevent them from rotting
It is always best to replant the bulbs immediately after digging them. If that's not really possible, you can keep them for short periods. The trick is to avoid letting them rot.
- After you get your bulbs out, remove as much soil as possible.
- Trim any cluttered roots and remove flaking layers from the bulb itself.
- Discard any diseased or rotting bulbs.
- Lay the bulbs on a tray or other flat surface and let them dry for a day or two.
- Then, put the bulbs in a container with sawdust or in paper bags with peat moss.
- Some gardeners use mesh bags of the type used to store oranges.
- The trick is to allow dry air to circulate to prevent the bulbs from getting wet and rotting.
- For this reason, it is better not to bundle the bulbs and avoid that they are in contact, because this can favor the spread of rot.
Step 2. Keep your bulbs in a cool, dry place to ensure their durability
Keep the bulbs stored in a cool, dry place such as an unheated garden shed where temperatures do not drop below freezing.
- Bulbs that bloom in the spring should be planted in the fall; those that bloom in summer, in spring.
- You will hear some gardeners dust the bulbs with a fungicide before storing them. This is always a good idea, but it's not essential.
Step 3. Plant your bulbs at a depth equivalent to 3 times their height to ensure good growth
Try to plant the bulbs at a depth of about 3 times the height of the bulb. The bulbs should also be planted at least twice the width of the bulb apart.
- This means that a 5cm bulb should be planted about 15cm deep and at least 10cm away from its neighbors.
- It's a good idea to add a handful of compost to the bottom of the hole to rest the bulb on.
- Place the bulb in the hole with the pointed end facing up and fill the hole.
- Water well and avoid stepping on the ground with your feet, as this can cause damage.
- The bulbs will do well if planted under the grass but remember not to mow the area above the bulbs until the foliage has wilted, usually in late summer.
Step 4. Take additional steps for container planted bulbs
The bulbs tolerate being replanted in a container. It is a good idea to incorporate gravel into the compost in a ratio of 1 part gravel to approximately 3 parts compost, to encourage proper growth of the bulbs.
- Bulbs in containers need to be planted to a depth of three times their size but will tolerate more crowding than ground planted bulbs - 2.5 inches apart is fine.
- Avoid contact between bulbs. Feed container planted bulbs regularly during the growing season (spring-summer).
Step 5. Water the container planted bulbs to keep them hydrated
Container planted bulbs will need watering during the growing season - this usually means in spring and summer. When the foliage begins to die again, reduce watering as this will help the plant enter dormancy.
