tuberose bulbs
Tuberose Bulbs
Strongly scented tuberose plant grows from its bulbs. Its correct planting is essential for good flower and foliage growth. Let us learn more about this plant.
- Plant bulbs in late winter to early spring and summers too. They are easily available and you can even use bulbs from existing plants. Further, their seeds are also sold but they are not true tuberose seeds as flowers with sterile seeds do not set.
- They need plenty of sunshine irrespective of where they are grown; in flower beds, pots, or containers.
- Choose soil that is well draining and loamy with plenty of organic compost, peat moss, ground bark, or decomposed manure added. They grow better in drier soils than water retaining ones.
- Tuberose bulbs are generally grown in clumps, so dig a hole to the depth deep enough to hold clumps yet leave the tip of the bulbs at the soil level.
- Space each clump 8 - 12 inches part.
- Water around the clumps well and then withhold watering until the green tips emerge. But make sure that the soil does not dry out completely either. Once the tip emerges continue watering sparingly. More the foliage, more flower stalks should be expected.
- Although fertilizing is not essential, a light liquid fertilizer can be added. However, this should be done only around the plants and never close to the clumps.
- Flower stalks can appear anywhere between three to four months around mid summer to late summer or early fall.
- Slugs and snails are the only pest that can harm these plants, and excess water can set rot in the bulbs.
- If you intend to use tuberose as cut flowers, cut only ¾ of the stalk and not the leaves.
- Once the flowering season is over, remove the bulbs or leave them to multiply in the ground. Expert gardeners recommend that they flower better in the second year if left in the ground undisturbed. Divide clumps every 2 - 3 years.
- If you do want to take the tubers out, allow the plant leaves to wilt and fall to the ground naturally. Dig around and scoop out the whole clump. Dust off all the dirt, sprinkle some germicidal powder, and store in mesh bags in a dry ventilated area.