Can Bulbs/Tubers/Corms be planted in...

Hi,

As we plant spring bulbs now, summer bulbs/tubers/corms in spring time, but we lift them for space and/or over winter, drying some out.

My question is, can they be planted in pond baskets and all we need to do lift whole basket(s) out of the ground and stack them up in the greenhouse or garage for the next season and plank the next baskets in the holes for the current season? Just to save time. I hope this makes sense.

 

I personally don't lift any bulb etc unless it is a tender species that needs protection.
By keeping lifting and replanting every year you're not giving them any time to establish themselves.

 

Yes. nurseries often use perforated baskets to keep different bulbs separate. Labels can be fastened to the basket.
In the garden unless there is a need to lift them ie tender bulbs why would you want to lift them every year. I have quite a lot of bulbs and they generally look after themselves only needing lifting and dividing when the flowering drops off. The only ones I do lift are freesias and I would also lift tulips if I grew many; both of these benefit from a hot summer bake.

 

I was thinking more of Dahlias, Gladiolis, Daffs, Tulips, etc. Things that are tender or only give you a few weeks of flowers in the year. It's just when garden space is tight, it's how to rotate & use the garden to the best. This is the only reason for asking to see what's possible.

 

Dahlias would be best lifted dried of and the soil cleaned off them before storage in a frost free place. Gladioli probably similar although these would benefit from perforated containers to keep all the cormlets together.

 

Ah, ok. There goes another idea for dahlias

 

With tulips, how do people store the bulbs? Mine have arrived early. I left them in plastic bags (which have air holes) but some have developed a little blue mould on them. Wondering if I should take them all out of their bags for more air circulation and give a light dusting of sulphur to see them through to Nov?


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get your tulips out of the plastic, put in a brown paper bag, should plant this month or November.
Dahlias are totally different than winter over bulbs, Dahlias need to be lifted after the first frost, cleaned off and stored in a brown paper bag in the basement. (frankly I don't bother with them)
The other bulbs, I leave alone forever in the ground. My current gardener helper in the spring is estimating I have 100,000 bulbs.

 

Ok thank you


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I've never lifted my tulip bulbs , I've never had any problems with them coming up year on year, what are the benifits of lifting them please?

 

using up valuable time that could be used elsewhere.

If space is an issue, you can plant other plants above the bulbs or around them, and all would be happy. Would not suggest sturdy rooted shrubs, but plants and annuals can be happy above the bulbs, I do that all the time. I have two nice corners of daffs in the front, right near them are nice hostas. When the daffs are done the hostas are just about 1/2 up, then I can tuck the daffs green under the hosta and there it is tidy. In another area I have a row of tulips, and when they are done, I put in a bunch of annuals. Just make sure to leave the green on your bulbs for many weeks after flowering and dead head them when done flowering, the flower seed takes the energy from the bulb below. In about 6 or so years you can lift and separate them, as most bulbs make more under need, too tightly compact means no flowers, just green.