That is a thought, but I think that as soon as they do get some light they’ll green up – and start growing faster. I’ve had lilies in the ground under a rock that grew white and flat for more than 6 inches but once the rock was removed, they lifted themselves up (perhaps not completely straight) and greened up.

I will likely just pot them up later this week and hold in the garage til the weather is more amenable. It’ll be an early start for them but maybe they’ll just look that much better by the end of April for the sale.

I think I would wonder about absence of light in a refrigerator after the bulbs have sprouted. Could they be moved to a cool location where they could get some?

Cathy

On March 3, 2019 at 12:18 PM Kitty Morrissy <1018@rewrite.hort.net> wrote:

Hi All,

 

I store lily bulbs in my fridge and this time also some Allium karataviense . I usually then pot them up mid to late March and set them outside under the eaves against a south-facing wall. They are then sold at the end of April.

 

I was just checking the fridge and the lilies (mostly L lancifolium this time) have sprouted several inches already and have reached the lid of their container! The Allium, too, have begun to sprout. The temp is fine in there, but I don’t have an exact temp – can’t find my gauge – probably around 40°F. Interestingly, the Mirabilis and Glads stored in the attached garage that’s not cold are still dormant; no signs of sprouting.

 

It’s too early to pot and set outside. Tomorrow night 9°. Then lows in teens and 20s, not reliably in 30s for another 2 weeks. I don’t want them to freeze.  Any ideas on best time to pot and where to keep them?  Maybe in the south-facing garage window? There’s only so much room there.

 

I realize it’s only the difference of a couple of weeks; not a critical question, but I’d appreciate any input.

 

Kitty

Northeast Indiana, Zone 5b/6a