Thanks for the multiple suggestions that people have on fertilizing
techniques. It's clear there is no single answer but I've already
discovered the world of watering cans is a good deal more complex than I
knew. I will try both a new Haws can with a fine rose and the standard
hand operated sprayer/mister bottle (which I normally use for indoor plants
anyway). Between the two it's got to be better than what I did last night
with a large stream of water coming out of my existing watering can (and in
answer to Brian, yes with a sufficiently large and forceful stream you can
disturb any gravel surface). Fortunately it only took one pot before I
could see that wasn't going to work. The fruits of my bulb growing efforts
so far can be seen at http://macgardens.org/?p=3349. As noted earlier, I
credit PBS for those things that I have done right...

http://www.macgardens.org/

--
Ellen Hornig