Fritillaria Figures

James Waddick jwaddick@kc.rr.com
Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:33:36 PDT
Friends,
	Here's a story of Fritillaria persica.

	In fall of 2001 I planted 4 mature/flowering size bulbs of 
the typical Dutch form. All came up and bloomed the next spring.

	3 of the bulbs were planted in a rough row about 2-4 ft apart 
on a sunny, hot west facing slope, the fourth in a semi-shaded well 
drained spot.

	I have fussed over their decline in bloom and increase in 
non-flowering stems so thought it was time to dig them all and see 
what was going on underground. Only 1 stem bloomed poorly this spring 
although there were many more non-flowering stems. They have been 
fully dormant for weeks.


	Bulb 1 in a shaded site yielded 9 egg size bulbs.

	Bulb 2 (1 of 3) died after a couple years in the ground

	Bulb 3 (2 of 3) yielded 19 bulbs of various sizes, but 
clearly none as large as my original mature bulbs. Most bulbs were 
egg-size or one size larger and  a few ping pong ball size.

	Bulb 4 (3 of 3)  produced  29 bulbs from ping pong size to 
blooming size. These are from the clump that produced a single 
blooming stem.

	In all cases the bulbs were literally in a tight concise 
pile, touching  bulb-to-bulb or on top of each other. A total of 57 
bulbs in 6 growing seasons.  The bulbs in the shade were literally 
sitting on and restricted by a large silver maple tree root.

	If a bulb is capable of doubling each year a single bulb 
after 6 growing season could multiply to 32 bulbs. One of my bulbs 
came close with 29 bulbs.

	My guess that they had multiplied and depleted nutrients 
seems well founded. I plan on replanting a couple in the old sites 
after fortifying the soil, planting as few elsewhere in the garden 
and finding homes for the others. Of course a few were injured in the 
digging process. These will go back into the ground and marked to see 
how they progress. I have already given a few to local gardening 
friends.

	As an interesting note, something I was not sure of, but all 
bulbs had declining roots that either fell or came loose easy. Fully 
dormant bulbs seem to be devoid of root activity.

	Hopefuly the largest bulbs will bloom better in fresh soil 
and I'll have to remember to dig and divide in less than 6 years- 
maybe 3 or 4.

	Now if more bulbs would just do as well. Anyone have similar 
numbers to share?

		Best		Jim W.
-- 
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph.    816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
	Summer 100F +


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