Spring bulbs in a container, then dig them up afterwards?

Discussion in 'Flower Gardening' started by gardengater, Oct 25, 2008.

  1. gardengater

    gardengater Young Pine

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    Can one plant spring bulbs in a container, then dig them up after blooming to store in a cool, dry place?

    :?: Gardengater
     
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  3. Droopy

    Droopy Slug Slaughterer Plants Contributor

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    I don't know, gg. Not snowdrops. They need to sit in the ground. I know that tulips actually like to be dug up after blooming and then re-potted in autumn where I live. We get too short and cold summers for them to propagate properly in the ground. You might succeed with Muscari too.
     
  4. Sherry8

    Sherry8 I Love Birds!

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    Here in Wisconsin I tried planting two containers (large wood containers) in the fall with tulips and daffodils and they rotted or froze in the pot...I thought it would be pretty to see them poking up in the pots in the spring but our winters are too cold here. Good luck ..Sherry
     
  5. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    Yes, you can dig some types up after blooming. Daffs and Tulips are certainally two.
    **Just one thing though: Leave them in long enough for the foliage to go brown on their own. Tulips and daffs use their leaves to replenish the "strength" in the bulbs for the following season. They will do better if you let this happen. The bulbs will split into more bulbs this way as well.

    I have never had great success with leaving bulbs in containers all year round. I suspect that it would be possible, however, if you could move the containers into a garage, greenhouse or some place sheltered, and bring them out in feb-march, say.

    Another possibility is to plant them in containers and then sink the containers deep into your garden soil.and cover them over with a layer of compost.
    Here, the bonus is that you can lift the whole bucket and plant other things in their place at the end of their blooming cycle.

    I hope that this has been of some help.
     



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  6. glendann

    glendann Official Garden Angel

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    They can be dug and if it isn't very cold in N.C. stored in a little refridge.That is good for tulips thats the bulbs I have trouble with.I now have a small refridge.In the spring I'm going to get more tulips.I have good luck with all my other bulbs in container.
     
  7. Palm Tree

    Palm Tree Young Pine

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    The bulbs that I have in containers are the amaryllis and they seem to love being dug up after blooming. It sort of serves as their dormant period anyway.
     

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