Ismene festalis

[Ladygardener]

Now I've cut the dead foliage off my bulbs, do I just take them out of the soil and let them dry completly to store for the winter.

[Tig]

I've lifted mine, trimmed off most of the foliage and have them drying out in a tray in one of the mini-growhouses at the moment LG. I'm going to bring them in before we have frosts and store them in a bag of wood shavings. Hoping that will be OK, but I'm making it up as I go along

x Tig

[Ladygardener]

That'll do for me too then Tig. i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/smiley.gif

[Jilly]

Thanks for the tips Tig, mine didn't flower this year but had loads of foliage. I moved the pot to die down out of the way & it ended up getting waterlogged (that's me not paying attention i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/rolleyes.gif ). It's in the growhouse atm drying out.

Jillyx

[Ladygardener]

I bought 3 of these the other day in Poundland. I wonder if they'll perform like the more expensive ones from B&Q did last year.

[Tig]

I hope they do flower for you LG. The ones I bought last year from Poundland grew well but never bloomed, I'm hoping they will perform better for me this year, they did multiply

x Tig

[Ladygardener]

Fingers crossed for us both Tig.

[Jasmine]

I bought some from Wyevales this afternoon - now I can join in this year!

[Ladygardener]

Excellent Jasmine. I planted mine February last year but I've replanted last years and planted this years already. ;D They're in the covered back yard.

[Tig]

I was looking at mine today, thinking it would be a good idea if I could persuade OH we need a conservatory

I'll pot them up next month (not long then ;D)

x Tig

[Jasmine]

I'll have to read back through this thread to see what you all did with yours.

[Ladygardener]

How has the overwintering of the bulbs gone I wonder?
This is my last years bulbs. I did what Tig suggested and let them dry out although I kept them in their pot. I took them out and added new compost and started watering them a couple of months ago. I've got 2 flower spikes and I'm delighted.
The new ones I bought are miles behind and only about 6 inches high but my last years ones have thrived.

[Jasmine]

I can't see your pic LG as I'm at work but they sound like they're doing great!
I'm trying for the first time this year and I had 3 lots of leaves but one lot has been munched by S+S. There's no sign of flower spikes yet.

[Auricula]

That looks really good LG

[Tig]

Well done LG!!! Can't wait to see it in flower - I have pots of very healthy leaves but no flower spikes

x Tig

[Ladygardener]

Thanks Ladies, I'll post a pic when they bloom. It's surprising that the ones I bought this year are so very small. Having said that, last years were much more expensive, perhaps they were better bulbs. i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/undecided.gif I'm not sure. Hope yours bloom for you this year Tig and Jasmine.

[Jilly]

Much to my surprise my overwintered bulbs came up again this year, doesn't seem to be any sign of flowers though & the s&s have been very busy i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/angry.gif

Jillyx

[Ladygardener]

They're everywhere Jilly are'nt they. i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/sad.gif There's still lots of time for flower buds, at least that's what I'm telling myself about my other lot.

[Jasmine]

I can see your pic now LG - that looks smashing!

[Ladygardener]

Thanks Jasmine, hope it gets to flowering. It's much more untidy this year than it was last year but I'm delighted to see the flower spikes.

[isabella]

Your plant looks good LG I have a flower spike but on a new one not an overwintered one

[isabella]

My Ismene has a flower ;D

[Tig]

Well done Pam, is it in the greenhouse? I think mine are hibernating in the cold

x Tig

[Ladygardener]

It's lovely Pam well done. Mine is just in flower this morning too and I've moved it into a more sheltered spot to protect the flower. i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/smiley.gif

[Jasmine]

Noticed this last night...



I was surprised how big the flowers were - I thought they'd be smaller.

[Ladygardener]

Well done Jasmine, it's lovely is'nt it.

[Jasmine]

They're gorgeous LG - the pic on the packet doesn't do them justice!

[Tig]

Lucky you Jas, they are gorgeous shaped blooms. I'm still growing healthy leaves

x Tig

[Jilly]

Thanks to the S&S I'm growing unhealthy leaves for the second year running i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/grin.gif i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/rolleyes.gif

Your's are all looking lovely, think I will confine myself to enjoying yours.

Jillyx

[Jasmine]

I have to say I was expecting nothing so this is an absolute bonus!