Narcissus cyclamineus

First time I have managed to keep the bulbs for more than one year. The whole plant is about 3 inches tall by the way.

 

Thats lovely Palustris - most unusual.

I have had a question for you for some time - knowing that you are the bulb king. Some time ago you said something about not moving young Allium bulbs until the leaves had died down and they had gone dormant. You said that if you damage the roots, they won't regrow like a perennial. They either won't regrow at all, or have to regrow completely from the base of the bulb again.

Is this a principle that applies to all bulbs? As a grower of perennials, I have been used to the concept that you can usually lift plants in growth with no problems (OK some with tap roots don't like it). Is it a rule that you should never lift bulbs in growth? I recently received the RHS seed germination instruction booklet again, and I was struck by the fact that it suggested sowing some seeds direct into a final pot as they didn't like root disturbance. I noticed that nearly all that had this remark against them were bulbs.

 

As far as I am aware the inability to form a branching roots (as perennials do) is a Liliaceae and the Alliaceae (Lilies and Alliums) thing. It might apply to other bulbous plants but I am not sure about that.
I have always grown bulbs the way described, by not pricking out, rather repotting and feeding as it gave me the best chance of success. It certainly works better for Arisaemas and Arums than anything else.

 

Many thanks for coming back. Until you made the remark about Alliums some time ago, I had never given it a thought. But on reflection, the root structure of monocots is very different from dicots, so I will presume that all bulbs should only be moved when dormant - until informed otherwise.

I just had to Google Alliacea. Alliums are such a big thing that I had never wondered what else was in the family. I didn't know Tulbaghia was. I have been growing some Tulbaghias from seed - now 4 or 5 years old. I have three in a large pot and was thinking about seperating them a few days ago, when I remembered your comment. I am glad I didn't now, but as they are evergreen and haven't really flowered yet, its a bit difficult to know when they are dormant. :D

 

I don't think it is as important when the bulb is of a reasonable size as it is when they are seedlings. There would be enough undamaged roots on a big bulb for it not to matter if a few of them were removed. Certainly the Tulbaghia I grew until the frost got them, were repotted every year with no trouble. Sadly it is a few years back so I cannot for the life of me remember what time of year I did it. Sorry.
Some of the Juno Irises have a fleshy root coming from the bulb which should not be damaged.