Into the Box – Storing Flower Bulbs and Tubers

Many summer flowers are not hardy in our regions. To ensure they bloom beautifully again next year, you should store flower bulbs and tubers.

The first night frosts do not yet harm the flower bulbs and tubers of summer bloomers. However, this is the time to dig them up and prepare them for storage. Longer periods of frost will not allow the plants to survive unscathed in the garden.

The preparation begins in early autumn. At this time, water the bulbs and tubers less, encouraging them to store water. Immediately after the first ground frost, they should be dug up. Ideally, choose a dry period for this task. This way, the soil is not as compacted, and you can allow the bulbs and tubers to dry properly before storing them. Beforehand, shorten the plant stems to about 10 centimeters and dig them up carefully to avoid any damage. The process is easiest with suitable tools like garden spades or digging forks. After digging up, remove the soil from the bulbs and tubers and let them dry. At this stage, you can also make a preliminary selection. Only healthy bulbs and tubers should be stored in the cellar.

Sort out soft, rotten, and moldy specimens before they infect other bulbs and tubers. Then, bring the summer bloomers to their winter storage. The room must be dark, cool, and frost-free. Good ventilation and consistent air humidity are also important. The best temperature for storage is between 5 and 10°C. Warmer temperatures may cause the bulbs to sprout too early. An ideal storage space is a cellar. If you don’t have a cellar or use it as living space, there are alternatives. A frost-free garage, an attic, or a darkened garden shed can also be repurposed. The summer bloomers will now spend a long period in their resting phase. To prevent the spread of diseases or other damages during this time, regularly check the condition and quality of the bulbs and tubers. For some plants, it may be helpful to occasionally add some water to prevent them from drying out.

Bulbs and tubers should be stored as dry and airy as possible. The best way to do this is by using a wooden crate or box. Line the bottom with paper and then fill the box with the cleaned and selected bulbs or tubers. Daughter bulbs can be stored separately from the mother bulbs during winter. Make sure the bulbs and tubers are not damaged during storage, as this may later lead to diseases. Additionally, the bulbs and tubers should not crush each other. Store them loosely and ideally not stacked. Small deviations in storage apply to dahlias, gladioluses, and begonias. These should spend their winter dormancy in sand or, to prevent the bulbs from drying out, in slightly damp leaves. Again, ensure that the bulbs do not touch each other. Beware of mice: the little rodents love bulbs and tubers. If necessary, protect your garden favorites with wire mesh.