Question
Hello,

I am a first time gardener, so PLEASE HELP!  I planted 14 bulbs of the Gladiolus Nori, 6 of the Oriental Stargazer Lily, 2 root balls of each of the Daylilies on March 8, 2009.  To this day, I have seen nothing come up the ground.  I planted the Gladiolus & Stargazer 6 inches into the ground & the daylilies 2 inches into the ground (like the instructions said) & I spaced them like I was supposed to.  The thing that I didn't do is check the acidity of the soil.  I just took a chance & hope they will grow in my soil.  I purchased them at Lowes.  I also covered the soil with about 2-3 inches of mulch (which contains some herbicide to control the weeds).  I'm concerned that I haven't seen any shoots come up from the ground yet.   Should I be worried?  Thank you!

Lynn

Answer
Hi Lynn,
Thanx for your question.  You will not see the gladioli emerge from the soil until the soil and air temperatures are consistently warm.  It is rather early in many parts of the U.S. to plant glad corms.  In the South it would be fine.  I would plant my corms in another week here in the Midwest.  The oriental lilies should emerge in the next week or so.  Daylilies, should have been emerging by now.  I'd dig around them and make sure they did not die.  March is a bit early unless you're in the South.  The mulch was a great idea so maybe they daylilies are just slow at coming around.  Give them another week or two and then I'd dig them up to see if they're still alive.  I think the Stargazers and glads will come up.  I hope this helps.
Tom