Expert: Long Island Gardener - 4/14/2007

Question
I am moving, and I spent a good amount of money on Tulip, Grape Hyacinth, anemone, crocus, and daffodil bulbs last fall.  I hate to leave these at my previous residence.  I live in the Bay Area of California (zone 9a).  Is it possible to take them with me?  Can I did them up and replant them in pots for the move, even though the foliage had not died back yet?  Thank You!

Answer
Of the bulbs you listed, Courtney, the Tulips are least like to repeat perform next spring and they are almost guaranteed to never look as fabulous as they did when they first bloomed.  Tulips are like that generally.

The others however are another matter.

The transplanting seems to be necessary.  If you can do this like you would any houseplant with active foliage and roots, in a pot, with an eye to replant them as soon as you reached the new location, they will return, although they may take a season or two to recover form the PTSD you put them thru.

I don't think you have any idea what a bizarre question this is.  Here you are, living in the lap of paradise, in a Zone known for Orchids and Jasmine and Stephanotis and Plumerias.  Tender, tropical plants famous for their fragrance and breathtaking beauty.  Here you are, and you are going to grow Tulips after all this trouble.  A cold season bulb that requires a chilling period and cool temperatures to avoid blasting.

Well, I can understand.  Me of all people, I love to grow things no one else would dare try.

It's a lot of pots and a lot of soil to deal with.  But to quote that old gardener's saying, You do what you gotta do.

Good luck.  My fingers are crossed for you.