Are my bulbs still good?

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Dragonflys4me (Chris), IA(Zone 5a) May 04, 2013

I've had these dwarf iris and mixed tulip bulbs for over a year - how can I tell if they're still viable or not? Is it mushiness, dryness, what? :)

Thanks!

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altagardener Calgary, AB(Zone 3b) May 04, 2013

If they are dried out or mushy, they are unlikely to be viable. If you're unsure, you can always plant them, though I would not expect great things (they should have been planted in fall after they were purchased).

Post #9508511
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WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom May 05, 2013

If the bulbs still have their brownish skin (like tissue paper) and when given a gentle (very) squeeze, and they are firm, then plant them in a pot (large) with some nice compost, when weather is suitable, set the pot outdoors, keep watering AS REQUIRED, don't over flood them, and maybe there will be some greenery on show this year, I dont think you will get flowers but hey, nature has a way of showing us who'e boss in a garden. after the greenery has died down, remove it and either plant the bulbs outdoors or leave in the pots in a sheltered space where you wont forget they are there.

Why I think you should plant the bulbs is: All bulbs are like the store cupboard, all the goodness a bulb requires (apart from sun / water/ soil is held within the bulb, so IF you were to cut say an onion in half, right down the middle inside, you would find the next years greenery points and pos flower spike already there, after the bulb has grown the greenery and flowered, you leave this to die down as this gets taken back into the bulb to feed it for the next year, we need to help the proses by giving some feed, humus added to soil, water, and keep the area weed free

I would not give up just yet IF the bulbs are firm and nor diseased,
Good luck, WeeNel.

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Dragonflys4me (Chris), IA(Zone 5a) May 05, 2013

Thank you to both of you - I'll plant them and see what happens :)

Post #9509427
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