bulbs - which way is up?

Really new at gardeninjg, just trying to learn and or the first time In life I planted glads and oriental lilies. The glads came up but had very weak stems. The Lillie's - no shows. Both planted in same location. Should I dig them up and see if planted upside down? I got the pkgs. at OSH, and was sure I read directions correctly. They are getting sun, water, and miracle grow. Also, do I cut off the spent stems from glads. I live in Sunny CA. (Ventura County), so I don't think I have to worry about frost, so don't need to dig up and replant every year--right? Also, how do I find my 'zone'? Sorry about all the questions.

How long ago did you plant them?

Usually, bulbs will find a way, even if they are planted upside-down. (although when in doubt as to which end is up, plant it which ever way looks like sideways, then you're only half wrong). Could they have been planted too deep? They don't forgive you quite as readily for that.

Thank you for replies -
JulieQ - I planted both in February
Plantflreak78 - If I remember correctly about 5 inches deep, pointy end up, rooty looking end down.

Hmmm, the general rule is twice the depth of the bulb's height. So if the bulb was 2" tall it should have been be planted so that its base was sitting at a depth of 4".

Hmmm, you are off the 101 Freeway, busy area, planting zone right on the zone 9/10 border, either or looks like, just so you know.

kittriana: Thank you! I looked at all the 'zone' sites I could find and couldn't figure out where I was. LOL Now I have a zone so I can check if whatever I want is good to plant in this zone, and all the other info I need. Taking into consideration of course my brown thumb, I pretty much need 'easy' to grown flowers/plants. Thanks again. I did find it interesting that no one from CA responded. Another question, please. How do I put my newly found zone under Author?'

At the top of your Homepage, click on My Tools. Then, click on Preferences. On the right side, you'll see a list. Click on Your Location. At the bottom of THAT page will be your Zone.

I wondered where I'd found that area, havent been back to it in awhile, but I have driven 48 states for almost 27 yrs, my memories are of pickups and deliveries in Oxnard. My dad is in Escondido, lovely area, but the traffic! and that ol deep smog, shudder...and a deep respect for the Santa Anna's, you are in a very forgiving zone, dad puts up his own corn, beans, and stuff they eat to avoid the gro stores most of the time, in an area no bigger than a pocketbook seems like. oh, and an orange tree he loves having. Ahhh, I remember waiting to deliver down in LA and a pickup would arrive at breaktime for the warehouse people, it was packed with all the fruits you could desire plus avocadoes, and they would take a knife and chop you a bag fresh! right there. Devine, totally devine for us stuck in that ol truck, chuckl.