My tulip bulbs havent bloomed for years. If they are replanted in a better location in fall, would they bloom? Or should I just green-waste them?
Nikki Stubbs,
Port Coquitlam
A: If they havent bloomed for years, theyre not likely to bloom now. The easiest thing to do is green-waste them and start over this fall with fresh bulbs planted in a sunnier and better-drained place.
But if some of the bulbs are very large and obviously healthy, you might select out these and try them in the better location for two years. Healthy bulbs that never bloom need at least two years of sun, good food and excellent drainage before they can form embryo flowers within the bulb. These embryo flowers mature about 12 months after forming and then bloom.
Q: When a package of vegetable seeds lists a number of days, what does that refer to? Is it days from planting the seed to when you can eat it? Is it days from transplant to when you can eat it? Is it something else?
Joni Rabinowitz
A: This figure estimates the number days from planting the seed to when you can eat it.
But this is a ballpark figure, especially with warm-weather vegetables such as tomatoes, squash, cucumbers and corn.
Thats because the time vegetables need to mature and fruit depends on the weather. A cold, wet spring means many things will take longer than the seed packet states.
As well, figures stated for maturity of warm-weather vegetables grown on the prairies or back east arent reliable at all for B.C. Thats because summers are often hotter in those places.
These estimates can be useful in giving you a rough idea what to expect. But theyre not set in stone.
Q. I have a large clump of Siberian iris that should be divided. Should I do it now or wait till the fall? How do I divide them?
Marie-Ann
A: You can divide Siberian irises in spring or fall. But this year, fall division would be better since we have a long-range forecast for a hot, dry summer.
Because Siberian irises love moisture and hate heat and drought, you may need to do a lot of watering this summer to make sure they settle in well.
In fall, your irises will grow more slowly, but nature should do much of the watering for you. Just check them now and then in winter in case they have a problem with frost heaves.
My favourite way of dividing solid, matted clumps of Siberian iris roots is to use a serrated bread or freezer knife and saw my way through the clump. This is time consuming, but useful for people whose muscles arent up to tearing tough roots apart.
A more strenuous alternative is plunging two garden forks, back to back into the centre of the clump and forcing them apart. Hopefully, the roots will rip apart before you do.
Once youve done that, just discard the aged bare centre, break up the young vigorous outside layer and replant the pieces.
Q: How can I propagate Vietnamese
coriander?
Mi Vuong,
Vancouver
Vietnamese coriander cuttings can be put into water until they make roots. Then you can plant them up in soil that is kept constantly moist. Its a tropical plant that should be kept inside.
Anne Marrison is happy to answer garden questions. Send them to [email protected].
