Save Your Summer Bulbs
By:
Garden Gate staff
In the overwintering bulbs story in issue 59, I shared my method of digging tender bulbs in the fall and storing them indoors over winter. And I’m not just saving the bulbs, I’m also saving money, since I don’t have … Continue reading →
In the overwintering bulbs story in issue 59, I shared my method of digging tender bulbs in the fall and storing them indoors over winter. And I’m not just saving the bulbs, I’m also saving money, since I don’t have to replace them every year. Here are some tips for some of my favorites.
Plant Name |
Storage and Growing Tips |
Caladium Caladium bicolor |
Overwinters well packed in peat moss at 50 to 60 degrees (a little warmer than most bulbs prefer); tubers come in graded sizes — choose large size for best results; start in house or greenhouse to extend growing time and size.
|
Canna Canna roman |
Very easy to store; rhizomes overwinter well in cardboard box covered with newspaper, no need to use peat moss; start early for best size and bloom.
|
Dahlia Dahlia hybrids |
Overwinters well packed in peat moss; check tuberous roots once a month for dehydration and mist with water if necessary; to divide, split tubers away from the stem.
|
Elephant’s ear Alocasia spp. |
Overwinter as houseplant in pots; if you’ve grown them in the ground, lift and pot up before first frost; feed regularly and water often over the winter.
|
Gladiola Gladiolus hybrids |
Overwinters well packed in peat moss; save the little corms that form around the mother corm to grow; stake as you plant so you don’t damage new corms as they form.
|
Glory lily Gloriosa superba |
Overwinters well packed in peat moss; check tuberous roots regularly for soft spots. Cut away any you find and let the root dry before storing it in fresh peat moss; plant the root flat and just below the soil surface.
|
Magic lily Amaryllis belladonna |
Some are winter hardy to zone 5; bulbs overwinter well packed in peat moss.
|
Summer hyacinth Galtonia candicans |
Bulbs overwinter well packed in peat moss.
|
Taro Colocasia esculenta |
Overwinters well packed in peat moss; check tubers regularly for soft spots; cut away any bad areas and let the tuber dry before packing in fresh peat moss; needs regular watering when it’s planted.
|
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