Removing perennials: when to dig up tubers and bulbs

When caring for bulbous perennials, one of the most important steps is storage during the dormant period. Harvesting times for tubers and bulbs of fall- and spring-flowering crops, as well as storage guidelines, differ. To ensure your plants bloom lushly and beautifully next year, don't forget to put them away for the winter using the tips in this article.

The purpose of digging

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During dormancy, bulbous perennials develop buds, leaves, and flower buds. To ensure flowering begins on time in the new season, they need optimal conditions during their dormant period to replenish their energy. It's important that these conditions remain stable throughout storage.

The first thing to monitor is temperature. Spring-flowering bulbs should be stored at no more than 10°C (50°F). The ideal location is a refrigerator or an uninsulated balcony. Flowers thrive in cold weather and bloom in early spring.

Bulbs and tubers of fall-flowering crops thrive in warm conditions. They are transplanted to the site immediately after the snow melts and dug up before the onset of autumn frosts. They should be stored at 17-20°C above freezing. Even slight deviations from this range will kill the plants.

It's important to ensure that the humidity in the storage area remains stable, at 60-70%. Excess water will cause rhizomes to rot and mold, while a lack of water will cause them to dry out.

Cleaning times

The bulbs and tubers are removed from the soil after 2-3 weeks. after flowering buds. If this is done too early, they won't have time to accumulate reserve nutrients. Because of this, they will bloom less well the following year.

For spring-blooming plants, the best time to harvest is the first half of summer, while for autumn-blooming plants, it's September and the first ten days of October. The best time to harvest is based on the appearance of the flowers: all above-ground parts should be completely dry.

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Table: Time for digging up bulbous perennials

Storage rules

The extracted bulbs are carefully shaken free of soil and air-dried, covered with gauze to prevent insects from crawling on them. Any excess growths should be carefully removed from the rhizomes. It's best to separate the young bulblets.

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Disinfection of the root system is a crucial step in preparing plants for storage. The following methods are used:

• malathion;
• a light pink solution of potassium permanganate;
• fungicides.

After processing, the bulbs and tubers must be thoroughly dried. To do this, lay them out in a thin layer outdoors in dry weather, covered with gauze, at a temperature of 20-25 degrees Celsius above freezing for 5-7 days.

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Wooden crates, pallets, or cardboard boxes are suitable for storage. The room temperature depends on the plant variety; humidity should not exceed 80% during the first month and 70% thereafter. It's also important to regularly ventilate the storage area, especially during the first two months, and monitor the condition of the bulbs and tubers: changes in structure and spots indicate pest infestation.

Table: Storage temperatures for bulbous perennials

Don't give up growing ornamental bulbous plants just because you have to dig up their roots during the dormant period. This helps maintain their health, maintain their variety, and ensure more lush blooms in the new season.