I would suggest that you tune into a different radio station! Bulbs have all their 'flower power' stored within them before flowering and what they want just now is water. After they have flowered you can start feeding with a low nitrogen/high phosphate fertilser; I use 1/2 strength tomato feed to build up the bulbs for next years flowering and then re-pot into fresh compoast after the leaves have died down.

Thanks Bulbaholic...that is what I thought but both 'experts' were so adamant that early flowering bulbs need feeding now......not later.....confused of Hertfordshire.

Hmm interesting idea - in effect piling pudding into a bowl that's already full.
I noticed on Friday that a few (6-7 out of 100) of my Iris reticulata were in full bloom, while most haven't even broken through the surface. I'm really hoping it does't mean that the majority have succumbed to something nasty.

p.s. my iris reticulata did wonderfully well last year in fairly shallow pots...about 10 bulbs to each pot....they were new bulbs....but this year they seem much poorer. I was looking forward to a good display....maybe it is still too early. So your advice would be to feed them later when flowering is over. What is recommended? I always have Miracle Gro to hand or should it be a tomato feed?

I agree with what's been said, but you can start feeding bulbs as soon as shoots appear, which might be what the radio programme was saying - all the time the bulb's got leaves present, even just beginning-to-shoot leaves, it can take up feed. Presumably a low nitrogen feed is best at this stage.

Did you feed your bulbs last year John? Half strength liquid tomato feed is what Bulba and I use but only once the flower is going over. We also repot all our bulbs in pots every year into fresh, or freshened compost.

Just had a quick look on the web John for Miracle Gro and see that there are about 57 Varieties of the product but I can't fins any hard info on any of them. If Miracle Gro works for you as a fertiliser, then use it. My preference is for Tomorite tomato feed.

The iris reticulata, in my raised bed outside, are just coming into flower (the first buds opened yesterday)