Debbie in Winnipeg, Manitoba, asks:
Why won’t my eucomis bloom? They did bloom the first few years, but for the past three, they have grown only leaves. I give them lots of sun and water, and occasional fertilizer. I’ve tried 10-52-10 and 20-20-20. I store them dormant indoors in their pots and then pot them up in fresh new potting soil in early spring until they can go outdoors. I’ve tried smaller pots to see if they prefer being root bound, and larger pots to give the bulbs more space, but still all I get is leaves. Why are they being so stubborn? Do they need to be divided and potted up individually?
From Dugald Cameron, bulb expert:
I’ve occasionally had the same problem. I find most flowering bulbs do best when slightly potbound. A slow-release fertilizer with more phosphorus and potassium than nitrogen might help. Phosphorus and potassium are the last two numbers in fertilizer formulas. Begin to feed plants when they wake up and begin to grow.
More answers to common gardening questions
My ecomis failed to bloom 2 years in a row. The roots or bulbs just kept increasing like crazy with lots of leaves but no flowers. Any tips for next year when I will buy new bulbs?
Ineke Nantais