How long do bulbs last unplanted?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.If you take specific care of unplanted bulbs, they will stay viable for anywhere from six months to a year. Bulbs of tropical varieties, such as cannas, require warmer storage. However, hardy bulbs like tulips can survive colder situations. I even once rescued some bulbs that had been abandoned and were marked as dead for fourteen months. However, there are some things you will want to do to extend survival...
Week 1: Temperature Audit
- Verify storage area temps with a digital thermometer
- Adjust thermostat if fluctuations exceed ±3°F
- Relocate bulbs away from vents or windows
Week 3: Shriveling Inspection
- Gently squeeze bulbs to test firmness
- Soak desiccated bulbs in water for 2 hours
- Discard any that float or feel hollow
Regional humidity will affect the success of your storage efforts. Coastal gardeners may want to include silica gel packets in their containers, but it may be necessary to add a thin layer of slightly damp peat moss in arid areas. One of my clients, who lives in Arizona, managed the year before last to save her ranunculus by wrapping it in thin strips of barely dampened newspaper every month.
Ethylene from neighboring fruits causes bulbs to deteriorate faster. Keep bulbs in a room away from fruits such as bananas. I lost some rare Fritillaria growing in my grow room because of this; I now use ethylene absorbers in shared pantry spaces.
If you come across old bulbs, soak them overnight before planting them. Then check their viability by cutting one of them horizontally, if the inside is creamy and firm, it is viable. I revived 80% of 11-month-old alliums, and they bloomed last spring.
Read the full article: How to Store Bulbs: Expert Guide for Healthy Blooms
