summer bulb storage

Gastil marygastil@yahoo.com
Thu, 28 Jun 2012 08:51:12 PDT
How are winter-growing bulbs best stored in summer? All top growth is dry now and Im about to begin digging up or un-potting corms and bulbs. Some I am digging up just to photograph them.  Others need to be spread out from too-thick clumps. Is it ideal to re-plant or re-pot as soon as possible and leave in dry soil until autumn? Or is it better to store them in a cardboard box filled with wood shavings, vermiculite, or some other packing material, or without packing material? I have an over-abundant supply of wood shavings. (My husband makes furniture.) I read in 'Buried Treasure' how bulbs are stored in a shed but I wonder if that was only to keep them dry or away from critters. There is little chance of any rain here (just dew) and I keep critters out with wire mesh. Summer temperatures here are mild, rarely above 85 F. Not too humid nor too dry. If left in the ground, is a mulch recommended? Is it better to leave the dry leaves and stalks on the
 surface for insulation or better to clear those away? I would like to hear others' experience with summer storage. 


- Gastil



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