How to Divide Tuberose Bulbs
The tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) grows from a tuber, although the tuber is commonly mistaken for a bulb. After the blooming period, the main tuber will decline and will not bloom again. However, it will produce several small tubers around the sides of the main tuber. New tubers can be removed from the old main tuber, stored over the winter and planted the next growing season. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Plastic bags or cardboard box
- Dry sand, vermiculite or sawdust
- Garden gloves
Instructions
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Dig tubers in the fall after the foliage of the tuberose plant declines. The old bloom stem will usually still be standing in the garden where the tuberose was blooming. Push the shovel into the ground 8 inches away from the main plant and push down 6 inches. Using a leverage action, position shovel under the clump of tubers at an angle and push down on the shovel handle, forcing the clump to the surface without damaging the tuber bulbs.
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Pick up clump of tubers while brushing as much soil as possible from the tuber clump. The new tubers will be attached to the main tuber. Pull the new tubers away from the main tuber by holding the top of the new tuber and pulling away with a downward motion. This will pull the new tuber away from the old tuber without damaging the new tuber. Discard the old tuber, as it will not bloom again.
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Set new tubers in a cool (60 to 75 degrees F), dry place with good air circulation. Do not allow the tubers to touch while they are drying.
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After three weeks, store tubers in plastic bags or a cardboard box completely covered with dry sand, vermiculite or sawdust. Store in a cool (60 to 75 degrees F), dry place until ground can be worked in the spring when they can be planted.
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Tips & Warnings
You can tell the main tuber because once the tuber clump is dug up, you can see remnants of the dried bloom stem coming out of the old tuber.
If you live in USDA agricultural zones 8 or warmer, you can divide the tubers in the fall and replant them immediately to grow in the spring.
Be sure the outside surface of the tubers are dry before storing to prevent mildew from forming on the stored tubers.
