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Zone 7 NYC area.
I didn't get all my tulips in before the ground froze too much. They are currently stored in a dark, damp basement. If they still look good, do you think I can plant them just after the ground softens? I'll probable do it anyway, but has anyone ever tried it?
Zone 7 NYC area.
I didn't get all my tulips in before the ground froze too much. They are currently stored in a dark, damp basement. If they still look good, do you think I can plant them just after the ground softens? I'll probable do it anyway, but has anyone ever tried it?
I would think mid or late season ones would be ok. Early season might be too late. I think there's a science for putting them in the ground in the Fall. Something about the freezing of them does something to help them bloom in Spring. Maybe you can put them in the fridge couple weeks before you plant.
Also... You might want to consider storing them in cool "DRY" location next time. Damp will always be susceptible to rot or molding.
They need to have a certain amount of cold to get them to bloom, so put them in the fridge for a few weeks before planting them!
I used to do that, but my Master Gardener instructor and County Extension Agent said to absolutely NOT do it. (I haven't the guts to tell him I still do, lol.) However, make sure you do not store any bulbs with apples or cabbages or like produce, as the gases they produce will harm the bulbs.
Zone 7 NYC area.
I didn't get all my tulips in before the ground froze too much. They are currently stored in a dark, damp basement. If they still look good, do you think I can plant them just after the ground softens? I'll probable do it anyway, but has anyone ever tried it?
You should be okay to stick them in the ground as soon as all risk of deep freeze is over and the ground is soft. I've stored bulbs in basements and root cellars over the winter but always packed in dry sawdust for their protection. Dark and 40 degrees in the basement is okay but it's not okay if the bulbs aren't protected from the damp. While you're waiting and still have them in storage you should have them packed in buckets of clean, dry sawdust to protect them from the damp. Make sure they're completely separated and covered by a couple of inches of sawdust so that none of the bulbs are touching each other while they're in sawdust storage. That will help cut down on the risk of cross contamination of mold/mildew spores in the event that one or more of the bulbs does go moldy or starts to rot. Sawdust is best but if you can't obtain sawdust use some dry sand as a substitute.
I used to do that, but my Master Gardener instructor and County Extension Agent said to absolutely NOT do it. (I haven't the guts to tell him I still do, lol.) However, make sure you do not store any bulbs with apples or cabbages or like produce, as the gases they produce will harm the bulbs.
I think the reason he said that was that if fruits are stored in the fridge, the ethylene gas will kill the bulbs.
I have stored bulbs in a fridge, but I use our "second" fridge which we don't keep anything but drinks and a few odds and ends in.
Without a cold period, they won't grow properly.
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