Storing Tender Bulbs over Winter

In our cold climate some of our summer flowering bulbs need to be dug up and stored for winter.  

Gladiolus bulbs dug up for winter storage - Be sure to check for rotting material. 

Tuberous begonias and Calla lilies 

• Begonias need to be dug up when the foliage is starting to brown or after a light frost, the stems should be cut back close to the tuber.  
• Let them dry inside until the stems are dry. 
• Split them if you want more.  
• Brush off the excess soil.  
• Place in a box or a bag with some peat moss and store at about 45°-55° F. 

Gladiolus 

• Dig up in late September before the ground freezes. (Note in the photo above that we had an early snowfall but the ground wasn’t frozen)  
• Cut the stems back to about 1” above the corm. 
• Store in a dry area for 2-3 weeks.  
• As the corm dries the root cap becomes dry and can be removed.  

• Store in a mesh bag at 40°-50°F. 

Canna 

• After frost has damaged these plants cut back the foliage to 2-3”.  
• Dig them out and gently hose off the excess soil.  
• Dry in a shady area for 2-3 days. 

• Store for the winter at 40-50° F.

Dahlia 

• Wait to dig these up until a hard frost has completely killed the foliage. 
• Cut the dead foliage back at ground level. 
• Place them in a paper lined cardboard box with peat moss at 50° for the winter. 
   

Note: Once a month you should check all of your stored plants for rot. If there is any damaged material it should be thrown away. The callas and begonias can be started in pots in a sunny window in late February or early March. The other plants are generally placed outside once the temperatures warm up. 

The experts at Gertens are always available to answer your questions.