It's important to understand that the timing of digging up fritillaries after flowering directly depends on how this garden flower was planted. Every year, sometime after flowering, the bulb of this plant splits into two. They must be separated and replanted in different locations to ensure two independent, beautiful, strong plants the following year.
Important! Some people use the bulb offspring that appear at the edges to propagate fritillaries. However, the offspring don't always grow, so this propagation method is hardly successful.
Besides the fact that the bulbs need to be dug up for proper propagation next year, there's another reason. During the summer months, remaining in the ground, fritillary bulbs become vulnerable to pests and various diseases. After flowering, the bulb enters a dormant period, making it completely unable to protect itself from pests.
Advice! Once the fritillary bulbs have been dug up, they should be soaked for a while in a solution of potassium permanganate. Then, let them dry. If there is any damage or rot, they should be cleaned and then carefully treated with iodine or brilliant green. We'll also tell you about Lilies: planting and care in open ground.
About the timing of digging
So, answering the question of when to dig up fritillaries after flowering (see video), the answer is already in the question. This should be done immediately after the plant blooms. Don't wait for the stems to dry out. If the fritillary leaves begin to turn yellow, this is the first sign that it's time to dig up the bulbs, separate them, and store them for the winter, ready for spring planting.
As a rule, all bulbs can be dug up by mid-July. By this time, the fritillary, after delighting with its blooms, has already fallen, and the leaves have begun to yellow, signaling the start of the digging process. If the stem is still upright and all the leaves are green, digging is not necessary. This indicates that the bulb has not yet entered dormancy and is not ready for hibernation.
Advice! Don't delay the digging process. This is especially true for large bulbs, which, once they go dormant, quickly begin to rot or become susceptible to other diseases.
What are the features?
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the timing of digging up fritillaries after flowering varies from source to source. Some people repot their plants only after two or three years. There are reasons for this.
The fact is that a mother bulb can produce several additional bulblets at once. However, many species produce not only a replacement bulb but also a baby bulblet during the year's growth. When this part of the fritillary is dug up, the baby bulblets easily separate from it and are often lost. However, they may germinate the following spring (though this doesn't always happen). When fritillary bulblets are dug up in the second or third year, the baby bulblets are already grown and cannot be lost. This means they can be used to plant beautiful new plants in your flowerbeds.
Advice! Each gardener decides for themselves whether to dig up fritillaries every year after flowering or to do so periodically every few years. In principle, both methods are acceptable. However, digging them up annually runs a high risk of running out of quality planting material.
Briefly about how to determine the timing of a transplant:
- The flowers have already faded and the leaves have begun to turn yellow;
- As a rule, the leaves begin to turn yellow within a month after the fritillary has finished flowering;
- Usually the time for digging up bulbs is in June or July;
- In extreme cases, the plant can be dug up once every two years. However, if possible, it's best to do this every year;
- The larger the bulb, the more profuse the flowering will be. Annual digging will help to achieve beautiful and vibrant flowering;
- If seed pods have formed on the stem, they must be removed;
- For digging you need to choose a day that is not rainy;
- The bulbs are very fragile and can be damaged if dug up carelessly. Therefore, leave 20 cm from the stem when digging;
- The bulb needs to be dug up and then pulled out by the stem. If the bulb is large enough, it will split into two parts;
How to store bulbs after digging
When bulb Once you have the hazel grouse in your hands, remove the dry outer scales and lay it out to dry. A well-ventilated area will ensure proper drying. Don't cut off the stems and roots right away; let the bulb dry thoroughly.
Within ten days, the roots and stems will dry out and be easy to separate. First, pull off the roots, then pull the dry stem out of the bulb. The fritillary bulb will eventually have a hole all the way through: this is normal and will remain that way for a long time. Now, arrange the bulbs loosely in a storage box. They should not touch.
Determining when to dig up fritillary bulbs after flowering is quick and easy. The process must be done carefully to avoid damaging the fragile planting material. After digging, the fritillary bulbs must be stored properly.