My husband brought home a bunch of bulbs from work one day about 4 years ago, maybe 5 and I potted them up to make sure I didn't lose them in my garden so I could tell what they were. They turned out to be Spanish Bluebells and bloomed beautifully that first year. I kept them in their pots for the next year and the bloom was a lot less so the third year I planted them in several spots in my garden. They have been there for two years now and not a bloom! Lots of nice strapping leaves but that's it. What am I doing wrong? The leaves have gotten so big this year they fell over with the heavy rain and I don't see the beginning of any flower stalk. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Help! My Spanish Bluebells are not blooming
Do you let the leaves yellow naturally before cutting them down? Patti
They might not be getting enough chill time?
I am letting the leaves yellow. Actually, I let them go till they are brown. As far as chill time, this is northern California and although it doesn't get that cold, my hyacinths bloom each year without a problem. What I did notice and did not mention is that the individual bulbs seemed to have gotten smaller and there were a lot more of them when I moved them to the garden from pots.
Thanks for the replies. I appreciate all the help I can get.
Sounds like the little guys are just not ready to bloom yet. Maybe next year they will have matured enough to make you do the happy dance, Ha, always waiting for next year. Best of Luck, Patti
Sigh, next year is so far away. Maybe I'll go bug the county Master Gardeners for an answer. I am wondering if the soil was too good.
Hey OGRODNIK, I've had the Spanish Bluebells now for 2 years and they bloom fine for me.They're in an area planted with Ice King daffs, and I do fertilize with Bulb Food in the fall and spring. Some are in sun , others in semi-shade, and both sets are doing fine.
Have yours been fertilized since you planted them?
This message was edited Mar 23, 2012 3:38 PM
I do fertilize regularly with triple 16. The areas they are in have the best soil of my garden which is why I am thinking maybe too much good stuff. The foliage is beautiful or was until the rain bent it over. Lush is the word to describe them.
It may be the fertilizer. Bulb Food has lower NPK. I know these will naturalize if left alone, so maybe too much love was given. Hopefully they'll bloom for you next year.