Re: bulbs
- To: perennials@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: bulbs
- From: B*@aol.com
- Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 13:03:48 EDT
In a message dated 10/23/99 10:09:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
dkrueger@dotnet.com writes:
<< I work at a K-Mart store and I
had a customer tell me that when she doesn't get all her fall bulbs
planted, she puts them in the freezer over winter. My question is: Is
this possible? >>
I surely would not put them in the freezer. When bulbs freeze in the ground,
it is probably not as solid nor for as long as in the freezer over the entire
winter. Plus they have already broken dormancy to grow roots for
nourishment. If you absolutely must store them over, try someplace cool and
dark. Avoid any refrigerator that contains any kind of fruit or vegetable
that might give off ethylene gas (kills the flower).
Better than the above is to get them in the ground. Even if it is as late as
Christmas or into January.
I did have a friend who told me he strengthened his tulips by digging them
up, putting them in the freezer, then replanting them. But they were only in
the freezer for a couple of HOURS! It's supposed to knock out viruses or
fungi or some such. I wouldn't try this with any bulbs of any value (in
other words, that I couldn't afford to lose).
Bill Lee
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