Preparing Summer Bulbs for Winter

Preparing non-hardy summer bulbs for the winter takes place after a killing freeze, usually in October or November.

Dahlias, Cannas, Begonias (tuberous types), Acidanthera, and Tuberoses are popular summer-blooming bulb plants that aren’t winter hardy in Missouri.  Add to this list foliage accent plants like Caladium and Elephant Ear.  Whether called bulbs, rhizomes, or corms, these fleshy roots need to be lifted or dug up before winter and stored in a cool, dry and dark location, so they can be planted again next April.

Late October or Early November:

• Wait to dig bulbs until leaves have turned yellow or a hard freeze has killed most of the foliage.  This is a crucial step for preparing the bulbs for storage.
• Do not wash the bulbs.  Large clods of soil can be wiped off.  Let air-dry for 7-10 days and brush off extra soil.  It is critical that the bulbs never be washed during this stage as it will develop a protection against rot through the air-drying process.
• Divide large clumps and separate bulbs if needed.
• Wrap bulbs in newspaper or pack loosely in dry peat, sand, vermiculite, packing peanuts, or other dry inert material and store in paper bags or cardboard boxes.  It’s important that the bulbs have some space and not touch each other, as this can cause rot.  Never use plastic as it is important for the bulbs to be exposed to air through the dormant months.
• Store in a dark area where temps are around 50-60 degrees.  It’s important that the roots remain dry.

Early Spring:

• If starting bulbs inside, they can be potted as early as February.  Grow in a sunny window.
• If planting directly into the ground, mid-April is a good time to take them out of storage.

Growing Bulbs in Containers –

Bulbs growing in containers can be left in their pots but allowed to dry completely, starting as early as October.  Move containers to a cool, dark, and dry spot until early spring.

This hanging basket of Begonia ‘Santa Cruz’ was placed in the garage in late fall and overwintered in its original container.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the same Begonia starting to growing back in April the next year.  It was placed into a well-lit area.  Once it started growing, it was given a dose of  fertilizer and was well on it’s way for another season of beauty.