by Leslie Cox; Thursday; September 20, 2018

This time of year the weather can be quite unpredictable. It is not unheard of to have swings in overnight temperatures ranging from 15 °C (59 °F) down to 3 °C (37.4 °F) in the space of 24 hours.

Well, that may be stretching it a bit but still, I have recorded a 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) one morning and a 0.5 °C (32.9 °F) the next. So, keep close watch on the weather. Once that first frost hits…if not before…you want to dig up those tender bulbs and tubers such as callas, eucomis, begonias, gladioli, cannas, and dahlias. All must be cut back, roots/tubers cleaned off and dried before properly storing them in a frost-free place.

Here are some specific instructions on how to over-winter your precious bulbs and tubers.

Gladioli…cut stems back to one inch; dry corms well for 4-6 weeks; remove excess soil and damaged bits; divide corms and cure one more week; store in peat moss at 10 °C (50 °F).

 

Dahlias…cut stems back to three inches; clean thoroughly with water; remove damaged bits; dry in sun for several hours; store in peat moss at 4.5 °C (40 °F).

 

 

 

 

Cannas…dig up and dry in well-ventilated area for about one week; remove foliage; place tubers in a box or tub filled with sand, peat moss, perlite or vermiculite covering well; store at 4.5 – 10 °C (40 – 50 °F); best in a cool dark humid room with ventilation.

 

 

 

Begonias…dig up and dry in well-ventilated area for two to three weeks; remove foliage; place tuberous roots in a box or tub filled with sand, peat moss, perlite or vermiculite covering well; store at 4.5 – 10 °C (40 – 50 °F); best in a cool dark humid room with ventilation.

 

Eucomis…dig up and dry bulbs in well-ventilated area for two to three weeks; remove foliage; place bulbs in a box or tub filled with sand, peat moss, perlite or vermiculite covering well; store at 4.5 – 10 °C (40 – 50 °F); best in a cool dark humid room with ventilation.