Margaret, when you let the bulbs dry, does that include the roots drying completely?

Susie, yes, the roots must be dry so that they don't get moldy or rot while in a cool dark space. Are the bulbs in pots or did you remove them??

Thanks Margaret! They were planted outside but have been drying for some time now but the roots are still very lively. I usually put them into storage a few days after I dig them and they've been fine,(no mold or rot), but only a few of them bloom when I replant them so I'm hoping by doing them your way more of them will re-bloom. When the roots were still looking so good after they had been drying so long, I wondered if I had misunderstood about how long to dry them so I really appreciate you getting back to me.

How long have they been drying Susie?

They've been drying around 3 weeks or more.

Should have asked this before, do they have any green leaves? and how long did you keep them in storage before bringing them back out?

Most of the leaves froze when we were out of town but not all the way down to the bulb, so I dug them and after about a week I cut them off. Then laid the bulbs out to dry. They were in storage all last winter and this spring I planted them out in the garden. Three of them bloomed out there and they had all gotten bigger but I have probably at least15 bulbs so I was hoping I could get some of the others to bloom again or there isn't much sense in keeping them.



These are the three that bloomed. Apple Blossom and the two reds have been pretty consistent in blooming but the rest haven't bloomed for awhile.

Ah, I see, the ones that bloomed are lovely. I have no experience with planting them outside, it is just too cold here at night in the summer, mine are strictly inside, they bloom in January through February, then I let the grow in a sunny window. Maybe you could pot them up in January and get to see them bloom, then plant outside in the spring.

Good plan, Margaret! How long does it usually take for your roots to dry out?

I stopped watering in August while they were still in their pots and waited for the leaves to wilt and go yellow, then I cut them off, I just put them to rest a couple of weeks ago, it's amazing how they can keep growing without any water for so long. I left them in the pots last year and this year.

Now that you explained about the frost and all, I think you can store them now, keep them from touching so that the air can circulate around them. Where will they be stored, is it dark? Mine are in a cool dark cabinet, I check on them once in awhile to make sure there is no rot or mold going on.

Mine go in a storage cellar along with my canned goods and all my other summer bulbs. I've never had a problem with them rotting but some of them have only bloomed once. Usually I put them in a box, roots and all, packed in together and if I don't get to them early enough the ones that are going to bloom are already setting out buds. I just wonder, if I let the roots die back, more of them will bloom but I will probably take them down to storage shortly regardless because we're needing both sides of the garage and there isn't anywhere else to lay them out.

Thanks for all your help!

Your very welcome Susie, and no I don't think letting the roots dry back more will change anything, just check them once in awhile to see if there are any buds, sounds like an ideal storage place for them. Let me know if they bloom when you pot them up, to stretch the season just bring a few out at a time.