What happens if you plant a bulb upside down?
If you have planted your tulip bulbs upside down, do not worry. You will not need to dig them up as bulbs know which way they should be facing and will turn themselves around. Should I soak tulip bulbs before planting? Soaking tulip bulbs can be very damaging and cause the bulbs to decay and die.
Bulbs should be planted pointy-side up, but if you placed them upside down don't worry. Bulbs know “which way is up” and they will turn themselves around.
Which way up should bulbs be planted? Always plant bulbs with the pointed growing tip facing upwards. If it isn't clear which is the top, then try planting bulbs on their side. Some tuberous plants such as begonias will be flatter than bulbs and don't have an obvious growing point.
If a bulb is planted upside down, it will simply take an extra day or two to reach the surface. If after deliberating over which end is the top and you still can't tell, plant the bulb on its side.
To plant flower bulbs too shallow can expose them to damaging temperature spiking. Planting flower bulbs too close together can cause root systems to strangle each other or cause them to dehydrate or starve due to limited water and nutrition.
Elephant ears have a smooth side as well as a side that is rougher and bumpier. The rough side of the bulb will also have a few root hairs from the previous growing season. So, which side should you plant up? The smooth side is typically the top so it should be planted facing upwards.
What Happens to Spring Bulbs Planted Upside Down? - YouTube
Bulb After-Care
Most bulbs can be left underground all year or stored inside after they've bloomed. After your bulbs have flowered, don't remove their leaves while they're still green; always let the foliage die back on its own.
Aim to plant in groups of at least six, as the more bulbs that are grouped together, the better the display. Typically, 25 to 50 bulbs may be needed to make an impressive show. This method applies to spring-, summer- and autumn-flowering bulbs: Dig a hole wide and deep enough for your bulbs.
Plant: Depending on the bulb, follow the recommendation on the label for planting depth. As a general rule, plant big bulbs about 8" deep and small bulbs about 5" deep. Set the bulb in the hole pointy side up or the roots down. It's easy to spot the pointy end of a tulip, and tougher with a crocus.
Will dahlias grow if planted upside down?
The good news is that even planting bulbs upside down will result in a viable plant. The issue is that the shoot now has to find its way to the surface in a roundabout way. This extra effort takes up precious energy and can result in a plant with less vigor and a fleeting bloom.
Set the bulb in the hole pointy side up or the roots down. It's easy to spot the pointy end of a tulip, and tougher with a crocus. If you can't figure out the top from the bottom, plant the bulb on its side, in most cases, even if you don't get it right, the flower will still find its way topside.
One of the most frequently asked questions about planting bulbs is, “Which end goes up?” Most true bulbs, such as Tulips and Daffodils, have pointed tips which should point upward. Corms, tubers and rhizomes like lilies usually show sprouts on their upper sides, and these should be on top when planted.
The plant will still grow if placed upside down, but growth is deformed and slower.
