DETERMINING THE BOTTOM OR TOP OF BULB – The rounded side of the bulb with the roots is the bottom side. The top side is the concave side.

SPROUTING TIME - Sprouts begin to appear after 4 weeks if started in pots. In the garden it takes a little longer if the temperatures are still cold.

BULB PREPARATION – The bulbs are ready to plant in pots and containers.

SHELF LIFE – To insure adequate blooming time, planting should occur by mid June.

GARDEN LOCATION – They prefer partial sun. Cover them with only a _ to _

inches of soil spacing about eight inches apart.

POTTED PLANTS – You may plant them one per 6-8 inch pot or combine together into larger pots. Leave at least 4 inches of spacing in between the tubers and pot’s side. It is best to add fresh soil or pot up in the following spring as the tubers grow significantly in size every year. Since trailing varieties need room to hang downwards, it is best not to place these in the same pots as the upright varieties.

SOIL - Use a regular potting or garden soil. Cover them with only _ to _ inch of soil.

WATER - Water upon planting and a couple times a week all summer long.

FERTILIZER – Maintain flower size and count from year to year. For best results, use Roberta’s Flower Magic Plant Food (M7503, M9817) twice a

month all summer long.

LIGHTING - Partial sun is preferred. Full sun will burn flowers.

TEMPERATURE ZONE 9 to 11 - In the garden, they can handle temperatures down to about 35 degrees. If they are planted in the ground, they will come up at the right time without worries of frost damage in Zones 9-11. If they are planted in pots, you may place your pots outside and leave them there all summer long when nights stay above 45 degrees.

WINTER DORMANCY - In late autumn, when leaves fall off and stems separate easily from the tubers, the tubers are ready for storage. Cut plants back to the ground. You can leave them in containers in a cool, dark spot where temperatures remain above 35 degrees. Refrain from watering until the following spring. Or you can lift tubers and store them in dry peat in a cool, frost free place until the following spring.

PROPAGATING- These tubers will re-bloom every summer in the mid June-October period. After 2-3 years, in the spring or fall, you may divide the bulbs into small divisions and replant. This is not necessary. At a minimum pot up annually or add fresh soil.