How can I prevent squirrels and rabbits from digging up bulbs (striped squill and snow bunch crocus) that I am going to plant? They only need to be planted about 3" deep. Thanks!
Other than adding some chicken wire over top of the planting area, slightly covering with soil and mulch, you may want to consider tactics that prevent these critters from coming to the area altogether. Try these articles for some helpful tips on keeping the squirrels and rabbits at bay: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/get-rid-squirrels.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/keep-rabbits-out-of-gardens.htm
Set a trap for the rabbits and squirrels. You can buy one of those live traps off of ebay for not too much and then you can release the critters someplace with plenty of woods or whatever habitat they live in.
Recently received a silver squill plant from a friend that had propragated theirs. The leaves are curling in some places others are yellowing... Not sure how to best care for this plant. Any tips?
Unfortunately, your photo did not come through. I am unable to see the problem to diagnose it.
In the meantime, this article will help you with their care:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/silver-squill/caring-for-silver-squill-plants.htm
I need some info on how to store my Giant Sea Squill that I purchased last year during the winter months. I live in N. Texas zone 8... jgmacee@yahoo.com
They do well in dry, arid situations. These articles should help:
https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/2020/10/12/giant-sea-squill-a-fall-bulb-to-try/
If you have been running a heater, it could be the air temperature is too dry. Try misting them a bit. Also check for any bugs that might have left sticky sap, such as scale or aphids.
Your site provides instructions for growing siberian squill: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/siberian-squill/siberian-squill-bulbs.htm I wish you would mention this is an invasive species and causing serious problems in woodlands. https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/siberian-squill
In order to be fair to gardeners around the world, we must include information on many plants. Any plant has the capacity to become invasive if given the right environment and circumstances.
With that being said, there are many areas where the plant is NOT invasive. In these areas, in which the plant is not invasive, people can grow it without worry. It would not be fair to exclude information for one gardener, when proper research should done by all gardeners before planting.
Please be sure, as any responsible gardener should, to research any plant that is intended to be planted before doing so. This is especially true in areas that have, totally, blacklisted some plants.
The answer from BushDoctor is a copout. Every plant is native somewhere. I did not say there should be no information on growing it, I said there should be a mention of its invasiveness. The idea that most people are going to independently research invasiveness strains credulity. They will look for Siberian squill, see this site as a top search result, and see no cautions presented.
A couple years ago I decided that I needed to transplant my giant squill and did no with no apparent problems, they seemed to thrive. Unfortunately, while they used to sprout in about June and then have beautiful bloom time the end of August, now they sprout mid-October and grow vigorously, but by the end of December it seems too cool for them and they don\'t bloom. the bloom was spectacular before. How do I get them back on schedule?
That would not be a bad idea. You can force them at a different time by holding them in dormancy longer and planting at a different time. I suspect that the transplant set them back. It would not hurt to try!
you need to mimic its natural Mediterranean conditions. Gradually reduce watering in late spring to simulate its dormancy during the hot, dry season. Keep the bulbs dry for a couple of months and resume watering in late summer or early autumn to encourage timely sprouting and blooming. Ensure the bulbs get full sun and are in a warm location, as cooler spots can delay their cycle. Use well-draining soil and apply balanced fertilizer during active growth in autumn. The transplant may have altered their environment, so adjust placement if needed.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/african-hosta/african-hosta-care.htm
I was wondering if I should lift them and hold them to re-plant at a different time so that they would bloom when they're supposed to. It's never going to be warm enough in December here in Phoenix for them to bloom.