Planting the bulb
Pot size -- The first 2 years, keep it in a pot about 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) wide and about 5-6 inches (12-14 cm) tall. Soil -- Use a fast draining mix. A typical mix is about 2 parts pumice rock, perlite, or coarse horticultural sand to 1 part potting soil or compost. If you tend to overwater your plants, use a 3 to 1 ratio instead of 2 to 1. Plant the neck of the bulb above soil level. Add water until the mix is evenly moist, but if your bulb is dormant, use less water. Don't fully saturate the soil. If your bulb doesn't have leaves: It will sprout some time between a few weeks and a few months, depending on when it went dormant. Continue keeping the soil lightly moist, but not saturated. You can cover the pot with a bag to keep the soil moisture more consistent - just poke a few holes in it for ventilation. If your bulb has leaves: Start it in bright, filtered light or some weak sun, with protection from strong sun. Increase the sun a little each week, watching for possible burning. If your plant drops its leaves soon after planting, it might be going dormant, especially if it's during summer. If this happens, see the "Dormancy" section below. Growing onward... During the growing season of autumn & winter, it does best between about 40 degrees F. and the low-80s (5-28 degrees C). The leaves can probably tolerate a light frost, at least on older plants, but it will grow best when protected from freezing temperatures. Keep the roots evenly moist during the growing season, but avoid keeping the soil constantly saturated. Give it ample sun during the winter growing period. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade might be needed in Spring, and also keep the pot shaded in hot weather. Fertilizing -- Use a general-purpose fertilizer that contains micronutrients, following the dosage on the package. Avoid feeding after March (September in the southern hemisphere). Dormancy -- The leaves will begin to die back around late Spring as the bulb prepares for its summer dormancy. When this happens, reduce the watering. Once the leaves have died, keep the soil slightly moist (almost dry) until autumn. Avoid letting the soil get bone dry during dormancy, but don't let it get too wet or the bulb could rot. In autumn, give a little extra water to encourage the bulb to come out of dormancy. Once growth has commenced, keep the soil evenly moist. If you grow your bulb indoors under artificial lighting, it might not go dormant the first summer or two. Repotting -- It's best to do any repotting during dormancy. It does not need a large pot - only about 3-4 inches wider than the bulb, however it likes a taller pot. When it nears maturity, avoid repotting it or disturbing the roots, as this could delay flowering for a few years. If you have questions, feel free to contact me. Have fun growing it! - Jeff Strange Wonderful Things
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