How To Store And Plant Your Summer Flowering Bulbs, Corms And Tubers.

If you have ordered some summer flowering bulbs,corms or tubers.You will need to store them properly before the time and conditions are right to plant them. Below is a few notes from a GardenAdvice Expert supplier

Canna: Will be delivered from mid March and should be stored in a dry place but NOT ventilated(just leave them in the box),ideally around 9/10 degrees C. Cannas can be planted when ground temperature is around 9/10 degrees C, usually from 1 April if there is no frost.

Dahlia: Will be delivered from mid March and should be stored frost-free in a cool, dry place (e.g. garage).Dahlias should also NOT be ventilated, as that would risk drying them out. They can be planted from 1 April as long as the ground is not frozen(a little light night frost after planting is not disastrous but generally better to avoid).

Gladiolus: Will be delivered from mid March and can be planted from end of March. If they need to be stored for a short while then keep them frost free around 8/9 degrees C.

Lily: Will be delivered from mid March and can be planted from end of March as long as there is no frost. Lilies should be stored frost-free at a temperature ideally not higher than 5 degrees C. Don’t let lilies dry out.

Calla Lily (Zantedeschia): Will be delivered from mid March and can be planted from 1 April (but not when ground is frozen).If they need to be stored then make sure they are well ventilated at around 9/10 degrees C (above 12 degrees C they will start to grow shoots).When being stored, Calla Lilies should be spread out so that they are not on top of each other as this would make them “sweat” and will cause them to dry out.

Tulips: To store summer flowering tulip bulbs:

1. Wait until the foliage of the tulips has completely died back before lifting the bulbs from the ground. This is usually in late spring or early summer.
2. Carefully dig up the bulbs, taking care not to damage them. Remove any soil or debris from the bulbs.
3. Allow the bulbs to dry in a warm, dry, and well-ventilated area for a few days.
4. Once the bulbs are dry, remove any remaining foliage or stems from the bulbs.
5. Store the bulbs in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area such as a basement or garage. Do not store them in a humid or damp location.
6. You can store the bulbs in a paper bag, cardboard box, or mesh bag.

To plant summer flowering tulips:

1. Choose a planting location that receives full or partial sun and has well-draining soil.
2. Dig a hole that is 2-3 times deeper than the height of the bulb.
3. Place the bulb in the hole with the pointed end facing upwards.
4. Cover the bulb with soil and gently press down to remove any air pockets.
5. Water the soil thoroughly to help settle the bulb into the soil.
6. Repeat the planting process for each bulb, leaving at least 4-6 inches of space between each bulb.
7. Mulch the soil with a layer of organic material such as straw or wood chips to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
8. Water the bulbs regularly, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
9. Fertilize the bulbs with a balanced fertilizer in the spring, after they have started to grow, according to the instructions on the fertilizer package.

For further information on all aspects of growing summer flowering bulbs ask us for some advice.
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