late planting; was Initiation of root growth in Fritillaria affinis

late planting; was Initiation of root growth in Fritillaria affinis
Russell Stafford, Odyssey Bulbs (Sun, 02 Dec 2012 06:49:02 PST)

I routinely set out flats of hardy geophytes (e.g., Corydalis spp.)
in late fall and early winter, after average minimum temperatures
have dropped below freezing. But first the planted flats (which are
16 inches square and 5.5 inches deep) spend at least 2 weeks in a
minimally heated shed where temperatures stay above about 4 degrees
C. I move the flats outside during relatively frost-free spells
(this coming week looks ideal), and cover them with inverted 17- by
17 -inch web flats to ward off varmints (the air space between the
cover and the surface of the planting medium also provides some
insulation). Before the next boreal blast arrives, I mulch the flats
with a 5 cm (or more) layer of Pinus strobus needles (or oak leaves
will do in a pinch). Some species (such as Central Asian corydalis)
almost seem to best under this regime.

Russell in central Massachusetts, USDA Zone 6a, modified continental climate

At 04:01 AM 12/2/2012, Peter wrote:

Frost has arrived here, any winter growing bulbs I now plant will be kept
on my coolest frost free window sill where they can root and pretend it is
still 'Fall'. They will be put outside, in appropriate frames, in early
spring, when well rooted.

Russell Stafford
Odyssey Bulbs
PO Box 382
South Lancaster, MA 01561
508-335-8106
http://www.odysseybulbs.com/