CULTURE AND LIFTING OF FLOWERBULBS ON HEAVY-TEXTURED SOILS

Author:	R.S. Bijl
Abstract: Mechanization of lifting of bulbs on loamy soils and clay is only possible when large amounts of tare are taken for granted (40 – 80% of lifted weight). Separation of bulbs from adherent soil is achieved by mechanical rinsing on the farm premises. On the other hand, enlarging the grid distance on the lifting machine to avoid picking up too much soil causes the loss of large numbers of small bulbs, and unwanted bulb growth next season. Three different approaches were investigated to avoid these problems. Lifting in two phases. After lifting, bulbs from two or four rows were deposited together in one bed to dry. After a short period, this bed was picked up mechanically. Adaptation of soil texture. In these experiments, soil was finely crumbled and partly mixed with peat. In this way, collapse of soil structure and formation of clumps may be avoided. Growing of bulbs in nets. This system promises to end the problem of excess tare and loss of small bulbs. It has been tried before, but was not considered ready for introduction into practice. Several aspects had to be improved; research was mainly conducted to improve mechanized handling and cleaning of nets.
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