BULBS!

Arnold Trachtenberg arnold@nj.rr.com
Mon, 08 Sep 2003 18:55:13 PDT
James;

I have a question and then a suggestion.   But first this:

"It has been suspected, for hundreds of years, that the black walnut can 
be detrimental to other plants growing around it. Juglone is the 
principal allelopathic chemical that is responsible for the inhibition 
of growth and the death of some species that grow within close proximity 
to the black walnut. Not all plants are affected by juglone.

Juglone is released by the roots of the plant, but it is not very 
soluble in water and doesn't travel far in the soil. Some examples of 
plants that may be affected are tomatoes, black alders, alfalfa, apple 
trees, corns, beans, potatoes and many others. Juglone is also released 
from decaying roots and may remain active in the soil for several years 
after walnut trees have been removed.

The physiological action of juglone and its allelopathic effects are not 
well understood. Research has shown that juglone may alter the normal 
oxygen uptake of mitochondria and may also impair photosynthesis which 
would lead to decreased growth rates of the effected plants."

So once you get past the juglone, I planted 2500 daffodils under 
european beech trees.  The bulbs have flourished and multiplied.  they 
flower ( planted three varieties) for about six weeks and the foliage 
gets a chance to ripen prior to the beeches leafing out.  The shade 
under the beeches is very heavy.  It was quite a task planting the bulbs 
with digging  through the tree roots and the ivy that covers the area 
under the trees.  A very non bulb person suggested I plant three 
varieties that flower early mid and late season.  I have February Gold, 
Pueblo and Thalia nd the show is great.


Arnold
New Jersey


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