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Bulbs/Calla Lillies (saving bulbs)

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Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 4/13/2005


Question
Hi Kenneth,
I've planted some calla lilly bulbs in large pots on my patio. My
thought is that I'll remove them after the flowers have died and
put some late summer annuals (or even mums) in the pots.
Questions: (1) When can I remove the bulbs? (2) How should the
bulbs be stored? (3) What do you think of this idea? We live in
northern Illinois.
Thanks much!
Ron

Answer
The bulbs should not be removed until the foliage dies back in late summer. The foliage is required to recharge the bulbs. Regular watering and fertilizing is required, too. Later less after flowering is complete, but do not let the rhizomes dry out.

Store them before first frost.

Alternatively, you can treat them as annuals and discard them as soon as they bloom.

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Kenneth Joergensen

Expertise

Can answer questions about spring and summer bulbs: selection, soil preparation, planting, fertilizing, designing with bulbs. I can also give references where to buy the bulbs and how to store them. Besides the typical bulbs (tulips, daffodils, amaryllis, lilies etc) I can also answer questions about other geophytes, such as tuberous begonia, dahlias, etc. When to start indoors, light requirement, etc. My experience is in cool season areas, but I can answer questions about warm season areas if given time to research matter.

Experience

Have worked with various bulbs (spring and summer bulbs). I am presently an allexpert advicer on the lawn message board also.

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