Bulbs - advice please

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Fat Controller, Mar 1, 2014.

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  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    My parcel of mixed bulbs has arrived, and contains:

    20 x Acidanthera
    30 x Oriental lily
    30 x Gladioli
    40 x Freesia
    60 x Anemone
    20 x Crocosmia

    I am really disappointed that there is not a single dahlia in the pack, as I found this pack by searching for dahlias on T&M's website, hence I expected at least a handful of dahilas in the mix; there is not a single begonia either, which just adds insult to injury.

    Now, I was either going to put all of these in one border, but would there be enough room and how long until something was happening as there wouldn't be an awful lot in there other than these bulbs, or I was going to spread them out a bit around two larger borders, and possibly into a couple of small borders that are set into a low wall (not the widest space in the world).

    What sort of spacing should be between each bulb, are they all looking for the same conditions and are there any planting tips (ie, what should be at the back and the front of the borders?) - also, is there anything that shouldn't be planted along with these bulbs?
     
    Fat Controller, Mar 1, 2014
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  2. Spruce

    Spruce Glad to be back .....

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    If me I would plant in 5's , height wise from my list tallest then going to smallest

    Acidanthera Crocosmia Oriental lily Gladioli (all roughly the same height) tall ish
    then

    Freesia
    Anemone

    all like to be in full sun.
     
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  3. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    Hmmmm... the more I look at this compared with the description, I am tempted to return the lot.

    I was going for a dahlia and begonia garden this year, and so far the begonia seeds are proving to be a pain in the bum, no begonia tubers in with this pack, and no dahlias.

    Gladioli are fine, but to be honest I can get them from the pound shop! I am starting to feel as though I have been done, yet again. :mad:

    I'm starting to think I should just turf the borders over and be done with it. :sad:
     
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    • Spruce

      Spruce Glad to be back .....

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      were they a bargain price ? , I know how you feel the garden centers are full of bulbs etc to buy at the moment , I would have a moan T&M are very good at replacing plants and I would be miffed as well when you were expecting them as part of what you revived.

      Van Meuwen and doing 40 begonias for [​IMG] £17.98 not bad
       
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    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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      £35 for 200 bulbs, so not really a bargain as such. I wouldn't touch Van Muewen with a 20-foot pole either, as they are just T&M trading under a different name!

      I am soooooo pi**ed off :wallbanging:
       
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    • Spruce

      Spruce Glad to be back .....

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      • Fern4

        Fern4 Total Gardener

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        Don't blame you! I'm cheesed off with them as well. I posted on your other thread about T&M seeds. I ordered also a tower pot from them and bought the seeds (from elsewhere) for the plants that would be planted in the said pot. The pot should have been delivered by the end of February. Their excuse is that they are having a problem with the supplier and if they are still having problems in two weeks they will let me know! So I have the seeds but no damn pot to put the plants in and may not get the damn thing either!! T&M can take a hike. :gaah:
         
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        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          The more I sit here thinking of my garden plans for the year, the angrier I am getting. Mr Fothergill's here I come!
           
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            That's very poor FC. You should definitely complain to T&M - hopefully they will send you some dahlias and begonias to make up for it.
             
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            • lost_in_france

              lost_in_france Total Gardener

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              I've bought most of my seeds from Mr Fothergill this year, plus a few from Chiltern's. Had really good germination rates so far (apart from Eccremocarpus Tresco Mixed, and they did warn that could be erratic).

              They've got a special offer on begonia plug plants at the moment if you don't want to risk seeds again.
               
              lost_in_france, Mar 1, 2014
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            • Val..

              Val.. Confessed snail lover

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              Staying well away from T & M this year, nothing but frustration. I very much doubt I shall be ordering from them again. Was so disappointed with the plants I got last year that I emailed them and told them so, they told me to keep the plants and they would also give me a full refund!! OK I suppose but I still didn't have nice plants. This year I ordered from Anglia Bulb Co, always reliable. Sorry to hear about yours fc I know how you are feeling, it is still early though so get what you want from somewhere else.

              Val
               
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              • Fat Controller

                Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                Just sent them an email, because I have had enough. I am not having yet another year where I am patching my display up because T&M cannot supply what they are selling. Email as below:

                 
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                • longk

                  longk Total Gardener

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                  I wouldn't touch T&M with a bargepole. Plenty of time to source what you want elsewhere, but do it in person and not online. That way you can get the firmest mould free tubers.
                   
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                  • Val..

                    Val.. Confessed snail lover

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                    • Sheal

                      Sheal Total Gardener

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                      FC.....to be fair to T & M if the packaging states bulbs then you shouldn't expect to see tubers in there. On the other hand I also wouldn't touch T & M with a barge pole!

                      Don't lose heart, all of us have been through gardening nightmares at some point and you do get good and bad years. Calm yourself, sleep on it and tell yourself you're not going to be beaten in the morning. I'm sending you a big hug, that should help.......or may be not! :) :grphg:
                       
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