When does tuberose bloom, and when is the best time to plant the bulbs?

Tuberose is a flower variety introduced and cultivated in China from abroad. At present, its distribution range in China is still quite wide, and it is most commonly seen in the south. Because of its high ornamental value, tuberose attracts many people to grow it, but when planting, presumably what everyone cares about most is its planting time and flowering time!

When does tuberose bloom

Tuberose is a perennial herb in the amaryllis family. The spike-like flower cluster is terminal, with 12-32 flowers per spike. The flowers are white and strongly fragrant, with the fragrance becoming even stronger at night, hence the name. Under open-field cultivation, the flowering period is usually from July to early November, with the peak blooming period in August-September, making it a summer cut flower type.

When to plant tuberose bulbs

Planting is usually done in April-May. Before planting the bulbs, first place the corms in an environment of 25°C-30°C for about 10-15 days of moist treatment. Plant large bulbs and small bulbs separately. The planting depth should be relatively shallow, because shallow planting is conducive to flowering. Generally, when planting large bulbs, it is best to let the bud tip slightly emerge above the ground; when planting small bulbs, it is best for the bud tip to be below or level with the soil surface. Sprouting generally takes more than 1 month, and after sprouting, growth is relatively fast.

Causes and control of tuberose growing only leaves without flowering

1. Causes:

1. The plant has not reached flowering age. Tuberose flower buds have already formed on the bulb the year before planting. Growing only leaves without flowering may be because the planted plant is too small and has not reached flowering age, so it does not bloom.

2. Improper storage of bulbs in winter. Improper storage of tubers in winter, such as drying the bulbs in the sun and then placing them in a dry cellar and burying them tightly with straw and soil, can also lead to relatively few flowers.

3. Excessive fertilization. Applying excessive nitrogen fertilizer after planting causes excessive vegetative growth of tuberose stems and leaves. This situation can result in relatively few tuberose flowers, and in severe cases even no flowering.

2. Control methods:

1. Choose excellent varieties. When selecting tuberose, choose relatively large and healthy tubers for planting.

2. Store properly in winter. When storing tubers in winter, keep the room temperature at 25°C-26°C so that the moisture inside the bulbs gradually decreases until the outer skin becomes dry and wrinkled, then lower the temperature to 15°C-20°C until they are taken out the following spring. For winter storage of tubers, you can also choose to hang the tubers indoors and smoke them under a stove. Smoking can make the tubers relatively dry, thereby forcing the tuberose tubers into dormancy, which is beneficial to growth and flower bud differentiation after planting the following spring.

3. Fertilize reasonably. Apply less fertilizer at the initial stage of planting. Wait until the flower stem is about to emerge or before flowering, then fertilize, and topdressing is required. Generally, apply once 1 month after planting, once before flowering, and thereafter once every 1.5 months or 2 months.

Common pests and diseases of tuberose and control methods

1. Root-knot nematode larvae attack the roots, often causing poor plant development, stunting and yellowing.

Control method: When it occurs, irrigate the soil with a 1500-fold dilution of 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate, or bury 3% carbofuran in the potting soil for control.

2. Powdery mildew mainly damages leaves.

Control method: When it occurs, spray a 1000-fold dilution of 50% Yifaling wettable powder. For other control methods, refer to the relevant sections on dahlia and cineraria.

3. Anthracnose.

Control method: Spray for control with a 1000-fold dilution of 75% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder; a 600-fold dilution of 80% anthracnose fumei wettable powder; a 700-fold dilution of 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder, etc. Usually, a 1:1:200 Bordeaux mixture can also be selected for control.

4. Pests mainly include yellow-breasted flower thrips and North China mole crickets.

Control method: For yellow-breasted flower thrips, a 200-300 fold dilution of 10% cyhalothrin emulsifiable concentrate or a 3000-fold dilution of 18% abamectin emulsifiable concentrate can be used for control; for North China mole crickets, 45 kg per hectare of 5% terbufos granules can be spread as poisoned soil, then covered with soil and watered, or a 1000-fold dilution of 50% phoxim emulsifiable concentrate or a 1000-fold dilution of 48% chlorpyrifos emulsifiable concentrate can be used for irrigation control.

The flowering time of tuberose generally lasts from summer to spring, so it has a relatively long ornamental period. When planting, spring is generally chosen. After planting, if it has reached flowering age but does not bloom, check whether it is caused by fertilization, storage, and other aspects, then solve the problem at its root.