When to plant
Mary Sue Ittner (Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:12:26 PDT)

Early on it was suggested that items for the BX be labeled as summer
growing, winter growing or evergreen. People don't always give that
information to Dell and he can't be expected to look it up. It's
helpful to check yourself if that information is not listed in the BX
offerings as that will help you sort out whether you need to pot right away.

A lot of us who live in climates like yours Elaine have found that
potting Oxalis in August and watering then, especially for the fall
bloomers is helpful. Getting them started later can mean they won't bloom.

Since the Bay Area often has its warmest temperatures in September
and October, another guide is not to water winter growers on days
that it is warm but wait until it is foggy and/or cool in those
months. I generally let the weather influence when I start to water
native bulbs and some from Chile that emerge later, but water South
African bulbs earlier. If what you receive from the BX is small (some
of us give bulblets or cormlets), having some material around them to
keep them from drying out is helpful. Larger items do well in paper
bags in our cooler summer temperatures. Paper is better than plastic
so items can breathe. And if you don't plant them right away look at
them from time to time and if you see signs of activity (roots,
shoots), pot them up immediately.

One size does not fit all. And a lot of us have learned from
experience that what someone else suggests may or may not work in our
situation. I expect you'll get different answers and learn what is
best for you. One year I couldn't find one of my paper bags of tulip
bulbs that I store dry until I prechill them late October. I looked
everywhere, but no luck. The following year I found them so they had
remained in a paper bag for 1 1/2 years. Some of the smaller ones
looked like they were goners, but some of the bigger ones looked
possible. I thought I had nothing to lose so I potted them up at the
same time I potted the rest of my tulips. They didn't bloom that
year, but did put up leaves and bloomed the following year. I was
glad I didn't chuck them out.

I might also suggest that you consult the wiki. Mike Mace gathered
together some excellent guides on growing bulbs from others and from
his own experience.
http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/…

Mary Sue

Mary Sue Ittner
California's North Coast
Wet mild winters with occasional frost
Dry mild summers