How to Store Flower Bulbs If You Can't Plant Them All
Many of the world's flowers come from bulbs instead of seeds, which means they can be replanted even though the bloom has died. If you live in a region with harsh winters, you'll want to dig up your flower bulbs and store them so you can replant them in the spring. You can also store leftover bulbs if you bought too many. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Peat moss, sand or vermiculite
- Spade
- Box, bag or egg carton
- Paper towels
Instructions
-
-
1
Dig your bulbs out of the ground with a garden spade.
-
2
Clean the soil off your bulbs using your fingers.
-
-
3
Pat away any excess moisture from the bulbs with paper towels.
-
4
Place the bulbs in a box or bag with dry peat moss, sand or vermiculite.
-
5
Store the bulbs in a cool, dry place that has some air flow.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you have a damaged bulb, apply a small amount of sulfur to it to keep the bulb from rotting. Put damaged bulbs in a separate container to keep rot from spreading onto healthy bulbs. Don't allow the bulbs to touch. This will prevent them from collecting moisture. Label your box with the type of flower bulb it contains. Bulbs can be tricky to differentiate and you may forget which type you have in storage. Some especially hardy flowers, such as lilies, can be left in the ground during the winter.
Don't store your bulbs in the refrigerator unless they have a separate drawer. Chemicals from certain fruits and vegetables can damage the bulbs. Some bulbs, such as crinums, need a small amount of moisture or they'll dry out.
