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gshann

Bulbs on eBay...

20 years ago

Does anyone have any experience with buying bulbs on eBay? I know I've more or less missed the fall "cut-off", but I was wondering if it was too late for me to start them in pots in the basement or garage, with the hope that they'll still bloom this spring...

Comments (4)

  • 20 years ago

    You could still plant them.... try looking over on the 'Bulbs" forum for tips on planting in pots, lots of good info there.

    I don't know about ebay, but some of the mailorder websites might have a few sales still going on. I'd worry about the bulbs freezing during shipping though, might not be the best thing for them.

  • 20 years ago

    I've ordered via the net but not thru Ebay. My experience with end of season bulbs has been hit or miss. I potted up 6 pots of narcissus that were end of season sales. They all have sprouted. Last year I planted outside in a large pot, tulips that never grew. Logically you wouldn't plant them outside now. They would have had to have some time to establish roots and acclimate. I would plant them in pots and you can easily take them out for their summer rest when done blooming. Do you have a cool place to grow them and then a bright window for light so they won't get leggy.?

  • 20 years ago

    I bought some bulbs on ebay in the Fall of 2003. My only complaint would be that I over bought for my own ambition. I didn't get everything in the ground. Though all the bulbs did ok for me. I'm hoping they spread a bit more this year. It's at least a chance to get different varieties at a good price.
    Steph

  • 20 years ago

    Hey! Is that pot full of tulip bulbs still around?

    Probably not, since it was a pot, afterall... but I wouldn't give up on them after one non-growing spring. Bulbs can sometimes remain alive but dormant for more than one growing season.

    One example: A little over 2 years ago I planted crocus bulbs quite late (ground had frozen early, but we had a late December thaw and I got them in the ground then). The following spring, no crocus. But, to my surprise (at the time), the next spring, up they came! Who knows, maybe not all of them, but still, the majority just hung out dormant for the year, and popped up the next time their time was right.

    I am actually just now wondering what to do with a bunch of bulbs I picked up in the fall and didn't get planted... I could plant in the ground, and see what happens. But then, if they don't come up, I wouldn't know if they'd come up spring of '07. And if they do come up, they'd probably be late, and foliage might get in the way of follow-up plantings.

    Or I could pot 'em.

    Or just store them in a cool place and plant next fall if they look/feel healthy.

    Hmmm... what to do, what to do?

    (Probably this will be a decision made by non-decision!!)

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