{"id":2135,"date":"2024-07-04T13:56:53","date_gmt":"2024-07-04T13:56:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demolinks2.com\/nina-melillo\/?p=2135"},"modified":"2024-07-04T13:57:33","modified_gmt":"2024-07-04T13:57:33","slug":"planting-easter-flowers-long-lasting-beauty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/demolinks2.com\/nina-melillo\/planting-easter-flowers-long-lasting-beauty\/","title":{"rendered":"Planting Easter Flowers \u2013 Long Lasting Beauty!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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It\u2019s that time of year when the world falls in love with all the beautiful flowers bursting from the ground after a long winter\u2019s nap. Easter is a time of awakening and being thankful for all the blessings we have in our lives. What better way to show gratitude for our amazing earth than to give Easter flowers to loved ones and to receive them too! We all would like to live forever, but while that is not possible for us, you can sustain life and beauty by planting Easter flowers.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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(Some of the links within this post are affiliate links of which I receive a small compensation from sales of certain items.)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A Little Background<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Did you ever wonder how the tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and lilies can bloom and look so beautiful in garden stores so early in the spring? I\u2019m sure that, like mine, your garden bulbs are only starting to poke their heads out of the ground, so how can this be? The process is called forcing. It\u2019s a way of tricking the bulbs to grow and bloom even when it\u2019s not quite spring. This is a specific process nurseries use to encourage bulbs to blossom.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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They begin by potting the bulbs in a well drained container filled with fertile soil. They are then placed in a cool (40 \u2013 50 degrees) but not freezing area without sunshine. The bulbs are kept there for 4 to 8 weeks depending on the type of bulb being planted. Once they begin to show signs of life, they are brought into a warm and light filled room.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This process results in beautiful blooms well before their usual outside dates for blossoming. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This is why you can buy them so early at your local garden center.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Now, what to do with them??<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Yellow<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Options For Your Glorious Easter Flowers \u2013 Enjoy!<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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As I see it, you have three options for your lovely gifts.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    Enjoy them and then throw them away. (Boooo, Never!)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Plant them in your garden straight away. (Risky, but may work!)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Pamper the little tykes and plant them in the fall. (Least risky.)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

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    I do not regard number one as a viable option, however, if you must, follow these instructions. If you are purchasing the flowers, buy ones with tight bulbs (not opened). Keep them out of direct sunlight but in a cool and bright room. The direct sunlight causes photosynthesis which helps the plant grow. \u201cPhotosynthesis is used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy that, through cellular respiration, can later be released to fuel the organisms metabolic activities.\u201d hence, growing and blossoming.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    By keeping the flower out of direct sunlight and in a cool location, you will slow down the blooming process and enjoy your flowers a little longer. Also, do not over water them. If they come in a foil wrap, poke some holes in the bottom and place the pot on a dish. Do not allow them to sit in water.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    One Viable Option: But I Want To Plant Them Now!!!<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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    If you are super anxious and want to get your hands dirty, I suggest you wait until after the last frost before subjecting them to cold temps. Once it is warm enough, you can plant the potted<\/u> flowers in the ground with the potting soil at the same level as your garden\u2019s soil.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    \"Miracle<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Once the flowers are gone and the leaves are completely dead, remove the bulbs from the pot. Gently separate and untangle the clumping roots and plant the bulbs six inches deep and about six inches apart. Cut the stems back completely and cover with mulch. Water the area thoroughly. Mix a 10-10-10 (10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorous, 10% potassium)<\/u><\/strong><\/a> soluble fertilizer into the soil. Avoid spraying any kind of weed killer close to the newly planted bulbs.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    This technique usually works for daffodils and hyacinths. It\u2019s a gamble when it comes to tulips. Lilies are also tricky. Although one year I randomly stuck my lilies in the ground even before they died and they survived! I had to do this because lilies are very deadly to cats and I really love Nigel and Luna, my kitty cats! I didn\u2019t want to risk it, even though they say cats have nine lives.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    \u201cPatience is Bitter, But It\u2019s Beauty Is Sweet\u201d Jean-Jacques Rousseau<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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    If you can be patient, tending to and pampering your bulbs throughout the summer should reap very good results.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    \"Daffodils<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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