Crocosmia & Tulbagia won't bloom

What is is with me and bulbous plants that won't bloom??? In addition to Iris and Naked Ladies, I can't get blooms from these 2 plants, either. I am getting kinda discouraged. I have all these green spots in my flower beds w/o any color!! These have been in the ground since Spring of last year and have never bloomed. They are huge and with absolutely gorgeous, healthy green foliage. The soil is neither too wet or dry and the location is full sun.

Maybe they are planted too deep? And if so when/how deep do I replant them?

Take a look at this site, it may give you some clues. The older types of crocosmia grow one bulb on top of the other and need to be lifted and sorted every few years, but yours are fairly new so that shouldn't be the problem. Have you had a very hot spring? They like to be cool and will abort flowers if too hot and dry. They may just need another year to settle.

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/crocosmas.htm

Wallaby,
I am off to visit the link you provided. Actually, up until a couple of wks ago we have had a cool and dry Spring. Thanks so much for responding!

It is too early for the Crocosmia to flower....have patience. If they are in a sunny spot, they will still flower.

Ditto bleek. Too early for Crocs.

I have "Emily McKenzie" and it never fails to bloom and multiplies like mad.

Hope you get some flowers this year!

Robert.

I've also planted Crocosmia early - April 8th with no luck getting them to break thru, out of 150 bulbs maybe 3 have peeked thru? I water on a regular basis not too wet or dry, but we have had an unseasonably warm Spring in Dallas. Lucifer is the kind I have and they are in full sun. Any suggestions?

Ok now I know about the crocosmia so anyone know why my tulbagia/ Society garlic won't bloom either?

PattyBobb~

My Crocosmias always come up early, in March, and get nipped by frosts, but recover with no problems. Of course, those are the ones that have over-wintered, but I think they don't need a lot of heat to start growing.......

Here they are in mid-March. The large leaves are Tulips. You can't see the Crocs very well in this pic, but you may be able to make out a few leaves right up against the large rock. There are lots of others, but they are short and don't show well.

And here is the same area May 24th.

Big difference, huh?

Robert.

berrygirl~

I have found out, that like many Alliums, "Society Garlic" like a loose soil, good light and a good bit of moisture. Not wet, mind you, but the regular watering you'd give onions. A bit of mulch might help in the heat of summer. (Or spring: were having high 80's this week!). Are your getting all those things?

My Tulbaghia was neglected for years and only bloomed the first year I had it. I put it in a place where it didn't get enough sun, the soil was too clayey and I didn't water it enough. (Bad boy!)

This year, I transplanted what I found there (must have set some seed or been split by carelessness as I found lots of small, short starts) and put them into a better situation. They're coming along slowly.

Anyway, I'll see if the new conditions help mine.

Robert.

Robert,
I believe mine are getting all those conditions- except sun. I am going to try moving them to a sunnier spot in the Fall. Thank you so much for your help!

Hey berrygirl~

Got blooms?

Mine are starting!

Robert.

Meant to attach pix....d'oh!

Closeup. The blooms are about an inch+/- across.

I believe this to be "Emily McKenzie". (syn. Lady McKenzie)

I AM getting tiny blooms on my crocosmia!! I am soo thrilled. Will post pix as soon as I take some. Thanks again for your help!

What color are yours Berrygirl? I did not know there were so many colors. How are your criniums?

Milk and Wine I sent. It was the huge bulb.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/56490/

'Ellen Bosanquet'

My crinums are very green and healthy-looking but no blooms yet.
I believe you ALSO sent me the crososmia [that I have] last year- lol!

They're just beginning to bloom....

not so good pic....

That is right I sure did. I sent the solid orange crocosmias.

Yep you sure did!! I thank you agin for your generosity. What was it I sent you- sedum? Hope they are well.

They are coming back beautifully. I really love them. Thanks.

Congrats on your Crocs, Berrygirl!

My "Society Garlic" still isn't in the best place, so it's poking along. The soil is still a bit too heavy and dries out too quickly. I just read that every time they run dry, they head for dormancy.

I meant the second pic to be this one.

Robert.

Berrygirl~

My "society Garlics" are budded up! What about yours?

I'm glad mine are doing better, even though the soil still isn't as rich as I'd like and I thought the were too dry, they're going to flower.

I'll post a pic soon.

Robert.

Hi Robert,
I'm so excited for you!
You know I really havent noticed mine lately-lol. I'll check them later this evening and report back.
Please post pix when yours bloom.

Oh, berrygirl, I have open blooms now, but I'm not that happy.

Why?

Because my plants turned out to be "Garlic Chives", Allium tuberosa.

Darn.

But it's not all bad, I wanted some anyway.

I guess my Tulbaghia is gone after all. O well.

Robert.

Robert,
LOL! At leat its something you wanted anyway. Now we just gotta get you some tulbaghia. If mine don't bloom you can have them- LOL!

You know the other night, I forgot to go check on mine. I'll try to tonight and post back.

My Tulbaghia is one that I just throw in the garden and forget, it flowers it seems to thrive on neglect.

Robert,
I did check mine and nothing yet. Oh well maybe next year?

Oh well.

As you say, maybe next year.

Good luck!

Robert.