Winter Storage of Summer Flower Bulbs

           

As winter approaches, we need to start thinking about storage of the bulbs that will not survive Kansas winters. The bulbs of Gladiolus, Caladium, Dahlia, Tuberous Begonias, Calla Lily, and Canna Lily need to be dug and stored so they can be planted next year. Actually, the storage organ of the above plants is not a true bulb. Canna and Calla Lilies are rhizomes. Caladium and tuberous Begonias are tubers, Gladiolus is a corm, and Dahlia is a tuberous rooted plant. All of these plants should be dug after frost has browned the foliage. Allow them to dry for about a week in a shady, well-ventilated site such as a garage or tool shed. Remove any excess soil and pack them in peat moss, vermiculite, or perlite.   Make sure the bulbs don’t touch so that if one decays, the rot doesn’t spread. Dusting with fungicide before storage will help prevent them from rotting. Caladium should be stored between 50 and 60 degrees F. The other bulbs should be stored near 40 degrees F. Finding a good spot to store the bulbs may be difficult. Some people place them against a basement wall farthest from the furnace and insulate them so the wall keeps them cool. Written by Ward Upham, submitted by Fairie Gardener.