How do you store bulbs for next year?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.When properly stored, bulbs will carry you from one growing season to the next, allowing you to transition from dormant tubers to beautiful blooming colors the next year. I have saved thousands of bulbs from rotting by paying close attention to three main things: curing time, storage medium, and climate control. Regardless of which one you skip, you will find yourself losing whole batches of bulbs to rot, just like I did with my first year's dahlias.
Week 1-2: Humidity Check
- Measure humidity with a hygrometer, ideal range: 40-50%
- Adjust with silica gel packs if above 55%
- Add damp paper towel if below 35%
Week 3-4: Rot Patrol
- Inspect for soft spots near basal plates
- Isolate affected bulbs immediately
- Dust healthy bulbs with cinnamon powder
Regional differences in storage can vary greatly. For example, my clients along the coast use insulated coolers to help mitigate humidity spikes, whereas gardeners work in the desert line boxes with wet burlap. In Zone 5, my growers utilize unheated garages and cool the bulbs until January, at which point the bulbs are moved to a wine refrigerator set at 38°F.
Ethylene gas from nearby fruit can damage bulbs quickly. To prevent this, store bulbs in separate rooms. I had a client whose tulips sprouted too soon because they were sitting next to some apples. Now she stores her bulbs in airtight fruit bins. Ethylene absorbers like BluApple can extend bulb viability by up to 30%, which can be especially helpful in small spaces.
Proper labeling helps you keep spring chaos at bay. Use waterproof labels to label the different varieties you are growing and their harvest dates. I use code labels, blue ones for cold-hardy and red ones for tropical. I lost labels once, and my cannas froze. It was a costly error- $200 worth of rare bulbs! Don't make that mistake again.
Read the full article: How to Store Bulbs: Expert Guide for Healthy Blooms
