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reading the paper - becomes more important than making decisions about where to plant bulbs. Silly really, but there you go.Fortunately, all is not lost. A good healthy tulip (by which I mean a bulb that is about the size of an egg and is firm of flesh

Most lily bulbs are sold in spring, although some, such as Lilium candidum, are sold in the autumn. This is a time when mould can thrive, so check them carefully when you buy to make sure there are no signs of it - an infected bulb can easily spread

't affected. The leaves can also be affected, with a general loss of vigour and poor flowering. Cucumber mosaic virus results in deformed plants and ruined or aborted flowers. Look out for sunken spots or ringed bulb scales on the stored bulbs. Tobacco

spots on the petals and are likely to turn mouldy and rot.Immediately destroy all infected plants, along with the soil around the roots, and don't replant any tulips in the same spot for at least three years. Check tulip bulbs carefully before planting

A fungal disease weakens the plant and can seriously reduce its flowering performance. The brown spots eventually grow together and develop grey centres. Infection is caused by air or water-borne spores entering the plant through damaged leaves. In wet weather the fungus spreads ...

Scarlet beetles (6mm - 8mm long) with black heads eat the leaves, flowers and seedpods of lilies and other members of the lily family. Don't mistake them for ladybirds. Between April and September the beetles lay eggs on the undersides of leaves. After a week they hatch into redd...

There's such a huge range of daffodils available in bulbs catalogues it's often hard to know which varieties to choose. Browse our pick of 10 beautiful cultivars for inspiration.Daffodils are some of the most reliable spring bulbs, coping well

Follow Carol Klein's video guide to cross-pollinating two daffodil varieties using a pen. springMore advice on growing daffodilsForcing narcissiCreating a daffodil containerLayering bulbs in a potDaffodils blog, by Pippa GreenwoodBrowse a variety

Follow Rachel de Thame's video advice on planting irises, with tips on drainage, positioning and when to divide them.summerMore advice on growing irisesDividing irisesCreating an iris container displayDealing with iris leaf spotLayering bulbs in a

Sarah Raven demonstrates the most effective method for picking tulips from the garden to ensure the best display indoors, without inhibiting next year's growth.MayMore advice on growing tulipsTreating tulip virusLayering bulbs in a pot