Flower Bulb Fertilizer

Saffron Crocus Bulbs Flower White
Tulip Flaticon

How to Fertilize Flower Bulbs and Corms

Do you know how to fertilize bulbs? Many gardeners and homeowners haven’t a clue. Flower bulb fertilizer is important to healthy plants and bright, beautiful flowering bulbs. While you may not think about it, your bulbs begin to grow soon after you plant them in the fall. The growth is underground. You don’t get to see it happening. The bulb begins to send out and develop its root system. The root system needs to be well developed in those last several weeks before the snow flies. This way, the plant can draw upon an ample supply of water and nutrients in the spring, so it can burst quickly into brilliant bloom.

Fall growth of the root system is fueled by water and nutrients. A generous application of fertilizer will pay dividends. The best fertilizer is specially formulated for spring-flowering bulbs and is readily available in garden stores. As you plant your bulbs, put some of the fertilizer into each hole, as directed on the fertilizer box. For established beds, you can sprinkle fertilizer on top of the soil and mix it in. Be careful not to dig too deeply and disturb, or damage the bulbs.

When spring arrives, your bulbs will have all the energy they need to burst out of the soil and show their blooms. You can add a light application of fertilizer at this time. Use a fertilizer high in phosphorus.

After the blooms have died, another application of general-purpose fertilizer will help the plant to create and store the food it needs for next year. Make sure to let the plant grow until it dies off. It needs as much time as possible, to create and store energy for the following year.

Popular Flower Bulb Fertilizers

There are a variety of fertilizers you can use when planting and growing flower bulbs. Here are some of the more popular ones:

  • Blood Meal – It’s a high-nitrogen, organic bulb fertilizer. And, it’s the most popular fertilizer to use when planting new bulbs and corms. 
  • Bone Meal – This organic fertilizer is high in calcium and many other vital nutrients.
  • Alfalfa Meal – It is organic and contains a healthy amount of NPK. Use it around established plants as a fertilizer and a mulch. 
  • Regular fertilizer – Use this for established plants. Apply it early in the growing season as soon as the plants emerge from the ground. 
Daffodil Flower Bulb
Tulip Flaticon

More on Growing Bulbs, Corms and Rhizomes

Depth – Do you know how deep to plant bulbs and corms? Find out.

Fertilizer – Revies how to fertilize your bulbs and corms.

Blood Meal – It’s a high-nitrogen, organic bulb fertilizer.

Forcing Bulbs – Brighten up your home this winter. It’s a rewarding winter indoor gardening activity. 

How to Grow – Learn or review the steps to preparing the flower bed for all of your favorite bulbs, corms, and rhizomes.

Pests – There’s no shortage of pests who eat or rob your planted bulbs. So, let’s stop the free meals.

Propagation – Our flowers are so beautiful. Let’s make more!

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