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kayaker Milton, VT(Zone 4a) Oct 25, 2004

I purchased 5 bulbs of Sternbergia Lutea which happen to be Zone 6 (-10 F), however I am in Zone 4 (-30 F). How can I make these bulbs work. They are fall bluming bulbs. When I got them they said for fall shipping so I suspect they are intended to be planted in the fall. I though I could plant them as soon as I could dig a hole in late winter/early spring but I am not sure. I then thought I could try planting them now and covering them with lots of grass/leaves/mulch... Or lastly I thought I could plant them in a pot now and keep them in my back room that only reaches temps as low as 30 F, finally to transplant them where I want them in the spring or to keep them in the pot. I really want to have them in a small rok garden for the fall.

Please advise on safest approach, including ones I have not thought of!!

http://www.waysidegardens.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10067&langId=-1&SearchText=8092&mainPage=textsearchresults&RequestType=NewRequest

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Zanymuse Scotia, CA(Zone 9b) Oct 25, 2004

I know that to force blooms you store them in a cold, dark place. I used to put bulbs into the refrigerater for a couple months to give them the needed chill. So I would think that you could simply store the bulbs in that cool spot over the winter and then plant them as soon as the ground thaws in the spring.

Post #1110946
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Kathleen Panama, NY(Zone 5a) Oct 25, 2004

I have S. lutea in my rock garden - they have survived for several years now, they put up lovely leaves but they don't bloom. I'm zone 5, I hate to discourage you and realize that there are micro climates in every garden, but I don't feel very hopeful that they will do much for you, either.

I planted mine out in the fall with the other bulbs, they know when they want to come up, so I don't think you really need to worry about that aspect of it.

editted to say, you might want to put this on the Cool Climates forum.

This message was edited Oct 25, 2004 7:53 AM

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