Winter Storage of Summer Bulbs

As cooler temperatures are in the forecast, it’s time to start thinking about storing those beautiful summer blooming bulbs such as calla lilies, dahlias, cannas, caladiums, gladiolus, and others. These gorgeous flowers will, unfortunately, not survive our Kansas winters and need to be stored indoors to be replanted next spring. The storage organ of the above plants is not a true bulb. Canna and calla lilies are rhizomes, while caladium and tuberous begonias are tubers, gladiolus is a corm, and dahlias are tuberous-rooted plants. With the exception of tuberous begonias, the bulbs can be dug after the first frost has killed the foliage above the ground. Tuberous begonias should be dug before the first frost.

Once the bulbs have been dug, allow them to dry in a shady, well-ventilated area for a week. Freezing temperatures should be avoided. Remove excess soil and pack it in peat moss, vermiculite, shredded newspaper, or perlite. Ensure the bulbs don't touch so that the rot doesn't spread if one decays. Dusting them with fungicide before storage will help prevent them from rotting. Place the bulbs in a cool, dry area with temperatures between 45-50 degrees except caladiums, which should be stored between 50- and 60-degrees F. The hardest part of storing bulbs might be finding a place to keep them cool. Some place them against a basement wall farthest from the furnace and insulate them so the wall keeps them cool.

 

Have questions? Contact our office where our Horticulture Extension Agent will assist you with questions.

Phone: (316) 321-9660

Email: callae@ksu.edu