Summer
flowering tropicals, such as begonias, cannas, dahlias and gladiolus are
considered tender bulbs in our climate. They won’t survive our winter, if you
leave them in the ground. Some gardeners choose to treat these summer flowering
favorites as annuals and plant new bulbs every year. Another choice is to dig
up each bulb and store them until its warm enough to plant next spring. Here
are some things to do if you decide to store your bulbs. Note: the word "bulb" is being used
as a generic term for dahlia tubers, gladiolus corms, canna lily rhizomes and
tuberous begonia tubers.
After first frost, when the leaves turn black, is the
time to dig tender bulbs.
Cut the remaining foliage back to about 5"-6". You can cut the foliage back before you dig the bulbs or afterwards, whichever is convenient.
Raise your bulbs with a spading fork, digging
carefully to avoid damage to the bulb.
Rinse each bulb off to remove excess soil
then let dry in a shady spot.
After the bulbs dry, dust each one with sulfur.
Sulfur will help ward off diseases and insects.
Remember to label each bulb
going into storage. Write directly on the bulb with a Sharpie or use plant
labels. Bulbs can be stored in cardboard boxes or paper bag containers layered
with peat moss, vermiculite or shredded paper. The packaged bulbs should be
placed in a dark, cool location. Choose a spot where the temperature will stay
between 40º and 50º. The packing
material will help stabilize the temperature.
Bulbs need attention during storage, so check on them every week or so.
Make sure they don’t dry out and keep an eye out for damage or disease that may
show up in storage. If the bulbs look like they are shriveling up, mist the
packing material to add moisture.
Your
bulbs may have increased in size during the growing season. Wait until spring
to divide dahlias and cannas.
Each gladiolus corm will have a number of baby
corms, known as cormels or cormlets attached to the bottom. Save these and
plant them next season. They will grow into flowering size in a couple of
years.
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