Winter Storage Of Summer Bulbs

Fall Prep For Next Summer's Show

By Arlene Wheeler

We're often getting requests and phone calls at this time of year from gardeners who want to know how and when to lift and store their summer bulbs. Here are a few helpful tips for storing a few of the more common bulbs, corms and tubers;

Tuberous Begonias

1. Lift bulbs after first frost.
2. Leave soil on and tops intact.
3. Cure (dry) for 10 days at 13-15 degrees C.
4. Tops should easily detach.
5. Clean off soil and small roots.
6. Dust tubers with Bulb and Soil Dust (Fungal Rot).
7. Place tubers right side up in almost dry vermiculite or peat moss in a cool, frost-free place at 12-15 degrees C.

Cannas and Dahlias

1. When tops are blackened by frost, cut them off just above the ground.
2. Lift canna carefully to prevent damage or snapping off the neck portion from which next year's buds initiate.
3. Cure for 1 week at 15 degrees C. until soil falls away.
4. Dust with Bulb and Soil Dust.
5. Pack intact clumps of tubers in slightly moist peat moss or vermiculite. Cover with 1 inch of the medium.
6. Store at 2-7 degrees C.

Gladiolas

1. Dig in late September or October to get maximum corm size.
2. Remove the stem and leaves close to the corm.
3. Cure for 1-2 weeks at 15 degrees C.
4. Clean off soil and old corm and remove new cormels.
5. Dust to control fungal rot and over-wintering thrips.
6. Store corms in open trays or paper bags at 5-10 degrees C.