• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
Digging-and-Storing-Tender-Bulbs-THUMB.jpg

Digging and Storing Tender Bulbs

When should I dig up my tender bulbs and how should I store them?

Cannas, dahlias, calla lilies, gladiolus and tuberous rooted begonias can be dug as the leaves yellow or are killed by frost in areas where they are not winter hardy.  Cure in a warm, 70 degrees, well-ventilated location prior to cleaning and storage.  Gently remove, don’t scrub, the loose soil and prune off dead foliage.   Each plant has a slightly different curing and storage requirement.  All of them need cool storage temperatures of 45 to 55 degrees. Store only healthy pest free non hardy rhizomes, tubers, tuberous roots, and corms. 

Cure cannas overnight and store in peat moss at 45 to 50 degrees. 

Store tuberous begonias, caladiums, and callas packed in peat moss in a slightly warmer location, 50 degrees, after curing for several days. 

Dry gladiolus corms for several weeks in a 70 to 80 degree well ventilated location.  Store glad corms uncovered in a cool location.  

Cure dahlias for several hours before storing in a 45 degree location packed in peat moss, sand or vermiculite. 

Always label these and other bulbs placed in storage to take the guesswork out of next spring’s planting. 

Check stored bulbs throughout the winter discarding any that begin to rot.  If the bulbs begin to sprout you need to find a cool location.  If growth continues you may be starting these bulbs indoors sooner than planned.

Related

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


March 20, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Maximize the Beauty and Enjoyment
in Any Small Space
Register now

March 23, 2024

REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI

March 27, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

How to Start a Garden for Beginners
Register now

April 3, 2024
Garden Trends 

Franklin Public Library, Franklin, WI

April 10, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Container Gardening Throughout the Year
Register now

April 11, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

7 Steps to Managing Water Where it Falls in Your Yard
Register now

April 18, 2024
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Golden Rondelle Theater, Racine, WI
Register now

April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs 
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL

April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI

April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI

May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win The Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide !

ENTER NOW