Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Winter Aroid Care, 1 by bwilliams

bwilliams wrote:
I would say yes but that can depend on were you store them. If its a dry area you will see them dry rot as the moisture is pulled right out of them. I would suggest something around the bulbs tubers or roots to help prevent this. As you notice stores sell tubers in plastic bags with sawdust this is for the same reason. the plastic holds in moisture and the sawdust keeps the bag from sweating to much and causing wet rot. Its a fine line we have to walk here and everyone has different situations. I have done well with plastic containers powdered spaghnum moss over the tubers. Sometimes tubes can touch each other and sweat and cause rot. Sulfur is a good preventive so is cinnamon yes I said cinnamon. If you do get rot clean the tuber out use some deluded clorox and remove infected parts place sulfur on it and allow it to dry for a day or two then put back into container. This is used in extremely hard tubers like Amorphophallus. All of you must look at what you have place it in the categories I listed then don't be scared remove all the leaves besides the center one and repot or place in a mix or container with a moisture holding substance. The area should be cool not hot not cold but cool to chilly. This keeps the plants in a dormant state and saves them from using energy and that keeps the tubers health and large. 38 to 60 is perfect if you cannot do this keep them growing. But keep them growing hot around 65 to 80 at least and feed some. Now if you have a greenhouse or a structure that gets cool at night and heats up a bit during the day like a greenhouse water every few weeks allow drying between. I water early in the morning and by night when cool temps come it is dry or close to it this helps prevent rot. Another problem with rot is bugs. But this is a whole other story but keep a eye out for white fly's and spider mites a lot of you might have them and not know it they can drain energy out of the plants not to mention the larva on some eat tubers. OK well hope this answered the questions. So yes you can store them dry but the roots must be covered or protected. THANKS