Fritillaria Figures
James Waddick (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 +