Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Need to remove my bulbs from pots so that I can reuse the pots. How do I store the bulbs for reuse next year?

I have daffodils, tulips and crocus, all of which I need to take from the pots where they have been growing. I want to use the pots for summer flowers. Can I store the bulbs to replant next year? How would I store them? Thank you.

Need to remove my bulbs from pots so that I can reuse the pots. How do I store the bulbs for reuse next year?
Store in a cool, dark and dry environment, but make sure the bulbs are dry before you store them, otherwise they may rot.


Paper bag is fine for storage, but not plastic.
Reply:String bag in a dark place in your garden shed.
Reply:im far from alan titchmarsh but my grandma couldnt get enough of gardening and as i recall she put them in a brown paper bag and hung in the shed and they never failed to grow the next time hope this helps.
Reply:Wrap in them in brown paper or newspaper putt them in the dark. This should be OK. Good luck, John.
Reply:put them in the ground and they will come up next year





get some new bulbs for your pots next year
Reply:Place them in a paper bag that has a few holes in it so air can circulate.


Store the bag in a dark, cool place -a basement would be ideal. If you don't have a basement, just be sure not to store them somewhere that can get stagnant, humid or musty -you want to be sure there is good air circulation or they can start to rot.


Plant them in the fall -preferably mid to late Oct. If you plant them too soon %26amp; there is a warm spell, they may be tricked into thinking it is spring %26amp; will start to grow -and may be killed off when the really cold weather hits.
Reply:Don't dig them up too soon.You must allow the foliage of the bulbs to die down naturally, as the bulbs are forming next years flowers during this time.Generally leave the bulbs for two months after flowering. It helps also if the bulbs are fed some fertiliser at this time.When ready lift the bulbs and let them dry out in a shed or greenhouse. Keep them dry. They will need replanting in the autumn for next spring's flowers.I think you are doing it wrong. The wait while the bulbs ripen in late spring delays the planting of the summer flowers and in order to plant the bulbs again you have to shorten the time the summer flowers bloom for.The best solution is this. Providing your pots are pretty deep,at least 6" to 9" plant the bulbs deeply. About 4" at least.They will grow and bloom perfectly at this depth. When they have finished blooming do not dig them up.Plant your summer plants on top of the bulbs.The summer plants will thrive and the bulbs are undisturbed waiting to come up again next year. At the end of the autumn just pull up the remaining stalks etc. of the summer flowers. One word, for this kind of planting where the same compost is in use for a long while, do not use general purpose compost.Use a good soil based compost like John Innes No. 2 and add slow release fertiliser granules twice a year.I find this system works well for me.
Reply:You can dry them out and keep them until autumn till you want to re plant them, you don't have to keep them in a darkened room or shed, just keep them dry. Watch out for squirrels and mice or they will eat them. When you lift them don't cut any of the foliage off the bulbs or they wont flower next year. You could always plant them in the garden and buy new bulbs for next year.


Good luck.


Professional Gardner for 30 odd yrs, and still going.
Reply:they store well in paper bags but i buy fresh for potting each year as they flower better in 1st season- last years do better naturalised in soil or lawn


locally we have a scheme ,run by volunteers, who plant any surplus bulbs on roadside verges- you really feel when spring has arrived round here.


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