How to Store Bulbs and Gardening Tips on Their Care

Planting bulbs allows you to enjoy beautiful blooms for many springs.

The success of flowers, such as begonias, daffodils, dahlias and tulips, depends on proper storage and care of the flower's bulbs. Improper storage may result in problems with flowering and growth, while improper care may stunt or discontinue growth.

Planting

Plant flowering bulbs during the fall at depths between 3 and 8 inches, depending on the specific variety of bulb. Loosen garden soil before planting to aerate and promote better water drainage. Planting in the fall allows bulbs to be exposed to the cool temperatures necessary to promote spring growth, a process known as precooling.

Care During Growth

Care for growing bulbs by applying phosphorous and 10-10-10 soluble fertilizer to promote root growth. Discontinue application of all fertilizer after bulbs begin to flower. This prevents bulb rot from developing. Water flowering bulbs with a soaker hose to protect blooms and water deeply to reach the bulb's planting depths. Avoid over-watering, which also causes bulb rot.

Storage

Hot summer temperatures may damage bulbs left in the soil. Many gardeners dig up and store spring and summer flowering bulbs after the blooms have disappeared and leaves have started to die back and turn yellow. Soil should be dusted off of the bulbs and the bulbs placed in a dry, well-ventilated area until replanting in the fall. Bulbs also may be stored in potted containers, surrounded by soil, but they should never be stored near ripening fruits, such as pears and apples, which may cause flowering problems in the growing bulbs.

References

• North Dakota State Univeristy-Cass County Extension: Digging and Storing Tender Bulbs
• University of Illinois Extension: Bulbs & More
• Iowa State University Extension: Care of Spring-Flowering Bulbs After Bloom
• North Carolina State University: Perennial Bulbs-Storage Prior to Planting

Resources

• University of Illinois Extension: Landscaping With Bulbs