Spring Bulbs Care Guide: How to Care for Bulbs After They Bloom
Spring bulbs are a beautiful sight to behold when they come into bloom, but what happens once the flowers start to fade? Do you leave them alone or cut them back? What about watering and feeding? Taking care of spring bulbs after they've flowered is essential to ensure that they come back year after year. In this blog post, we'll give you some tips on how to care for your spring bulbs after they have bloomed.
Deadhead The Flowers
The first thing you should do once the flowers have faded is to deadhead them. This means cutting off the spent blooms before they have a chance to form seeds. Deadheading encourages the plant to put its energy into producing more bulbs rather than seed production.
Leave The Foliage Alone
Although the flowers may be gone, the leaves of the spring bulbs are still essential. They produce food for the bulb, which is stored and used to produce the next year's flowers. Therefore, it's important to leave the foliage alone until it dies back naturally.
Watering
Watering is also an essential part of caring for your spring bulbs after they have bloomed. It's important to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. You should water your bulbs regularly, especially during dry periods. However, once the foliage starts to yellow and die back, you can gradually reduce watering until the soil is completely dry.
Feeding
Feeding your bulbs after they have bloomed is also important. You can use a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10, to help them produce healthy foliage and store energy for next year's flowers. Apply the fertilizer according to the instructions on the package, usually once a month until the foliage dies back.
Lift And Divide Bulbs
If your bulbs have been growing in the same spot for several years, it may be time to lift and divide them. This will help to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to smaller flowers and decreased vigor. Wait until the foliage has died back before lifting the bulbs. Gently remove the soil from around the bulbs, separate them into individual bulbs, and replant them at the same depth as before.
Caring for spring bulbs after they have bloomed is essential to ensure that they come back year after year. Deadhead the flowers, leave the foliage alone, water and feed regularly, and lift and divide bulbs if necessary. With a little bit of care, you can enjoy beautiful spring bulbs for many years to come.
About RightPlantz - RightPlantz is your go-to source for all things gardening. RightPlantz grows better gardeners.
