Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 3/1/2004

Question
Hi Kenneth, my enthusiasm got the better of me last fall, bought a lot of bulbs, only managed to plant 50%. Can I plant the other 50% fall 2004? At this time they are bagged and on my back porch under roof.Thank you, Margaret

Answer
If you store them cool and dry (preferably in a refrigerator) they can be kept an additional year. check monthly and remove any disease or rotten bulbs.

Alternatively, you can plant the bulbs outdoors as soon as you can. they may grow foliage but will not flower this first year (due to vernalization). most bulbs will repeat for next year (hyacinths, daffodils, crocus, etc). Tulips may or may not flower again.

If you keep bulbs in the fridge, make sure to keep ripening fruit (such as apples) and cut flowers out as the ethylene released during the ripening process can sterilize the bulbs.