Can you southern gardeners splain to me about bulbs? (flower, landscaping, yard)

[gentlearts]

I saw in the newspaper that apparently down here in GA, folks keep their bulbs in the fridge all winter and plant them in January? So then what?
Do they get dug up every fall and put back in the fridge? If so, why? It was plenty freaking cold here all winter.
Is there the same procedure for all hardy bulbs, like daffodils and tulips?

[StarryEyedSurprise]

I am not a gardener (yet!) but the woman who owned my house before I bought it was - I have bulbs that pop up every year, daffodils and tulips, and I certainly don't dig them up I'm in coastal SC.

[southernnaturelover]

I have daffodils and amaryllis in my yard that have been there for decades, never dug up. I also have caladium bulbs that have been in the ground a few years with no problems, although I have lost a couple.

I think it really depends on how well drained your soil is during the winter, if it's sandy and well drained they'll likely be okay, but if it's clay and gets soggy the bulbs could rot.

[gentlearts]

Thanks all. I'm going to plant some in the fall.

[Padgett2]

Some people put bulbs that need cold temps (like tulips) in the fridge. Otherwise, they would seldom, if ever, bloom another year. Our usual bulbs, amaryllis, daffodils, etc. aren't bothered by warm winters and usually do just fine without additional chilling. We don't even bother to dig them.

Watch your neighbors to see what comes up and does well. If you want something like tulips, it might be easier to just buy fresh bulbs every year.

Amaryllis and Daffodils are aready up. Hurry if you want amaryllis this year.

[Dusty Rhodes]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

Thanks all. I'm going to plant some in the fall.

I'd plant in the spring, let them get accustomed to the environment, early spring will still have a few chilly nights.

[Ginger Bee]

Iris, paperwhites (Narcissus), all kinds of green onion/chive types, Peruvian lily, Naked Ladies(!), even Easter lilies, & Amaryllis. Never dig these up, just feed. When they get enough water, they come up. If you don't take away the dried leaves, (on the Naked Ladies, for example), the dead leaves build up a beautiful "hula skirt" of mulch around the new bloom of Naked Lady lily.

[gemstone1]

Flowering bulbs for Georgia

The Georgia Gardener prefers the time tested method of fall planting bulbs. That is not to say that spring planted bulbs won't live or flower, but fall planted bulbs will usually be stronger, healthier and better rooted to support the flower head. My gladiolus garden was not ready for planting last fall, however the stalks look healthy, and they are about ready to flower.

You will find big box store garden centers full of bulbs in the spring...not so much in the fall, but quality bulbs can be found online in the fall.

Regards
Gemstone1

[LIcenter]

Many years ago I worked for KLM airlines. Their main office was in Manhattan, and they would plant thousands of bulbs each year in the front of the building. Every year was a particular theme. Anyway when the season was over we were all invited to grab as much as we wanted. Let me tell ya, you had to be quick, as they (the bulbs) were the best of the best of what the Dutch had to offer.

[biggunsmallbrains]

Certain bulbs need a long cold winter to germinate. The fridge acts like that winter.