PBS Forum

I noticed this year that a few of my long planted daffodils have not bloomed as well as in past years and I feel like it is time to provide them with some nutrition.  My thoughts are to use a granular fertilizer spread around the ground over the bulbs, letting the rains carry it down to the bulbs' roots.  Any suggestions on what fertilizer has been successful for you?  Or do you do something else entirely?

Bob Hoel
Chicago area where we have had an unseasonably early Spring.

I put my potted Adenium obesum outside for the summer and this year it set a couple of seed pods.  The pods have now matured and burst open.  Attached are photos of the "explosion" and then of a single seed that resembles a barbell.  It was somewhat like a milkweed pod that bursts open and the seeds are disbursed by the wind.  I have not attempted to grow this from seeds but now is as good a time as any.

I have extra seed if anyone is interested.  Contact me privately.    Easy to send by mail.

Bob  Hoel
Elmhurst, IL

I am fast running out of room to bring plants into the greenhouse for yet another Chicago winter.  Next year I will be dividing Zephyranthes and sending some to the BX.  Until then, I need to store them for the winter.  Can they survive a period of dormancy during the winter where I would put the pots under the bench and not water them for several months?  Or do they need a little water but still under the bench?  I no longer have room to keep them on the benches....the bromeliads and orchids have pre-empted their space.  I suspect that taking them out of the pots and letting them dry like tulips is out of order.

Rhodophiala bifida - I grow this in a pot but it has never bloomed for me.  From the information section, it looks like these plants require a dormancy period.  Should that be a dry period?  What time of year?  I will also be repotting it and can see that the original bulbs have multiplied.  Looks like I will have some to send in for the next bulb exchange.