Gladiolus- freezing question

Hi. I planted Glads for the first time last summer and dug them up in the fall as I live in zone 4. I stored them in our insulated garage but noticed several times the temperature got down to the low 20's. Does anyone know if this killed the bulbs? I put them in a 5 gal. pail and brought them into my basement which is too warm I imagine.... If anyone from a cold climate has a suggestion how I should winter them I'd appreciate it. Or if they froze and won't grow this spring.... should I throw them out now? Thanks, Lisa

My experience is that cold is not their enemy as much as 'wet'.....20F shouldn't hurt them as long as they were/are dry while stored.
I'm sure a expert will be by shortly to give you better info.........................

lizzanne,

Obviously we don't get as cold as you do, but glads are among the hardier "non-hardy" bulbs and are usually considered hardy through zone 7. You're saying the temps INSIDE the garage fell to low 20's? My garage is attached to the house and I have left glads out there over the winter, and we get oyutside temps during winter regularly in 20's and sonmetimes teens too, and I have then seen them in springtime developing shooots while still in the garage. I'd ay they're probably OK but you'll find out this spring. Goos thing is that gladiolus corms are inexpensive so you can always just buy more :-)

Thank you for the advice, Steve and Riker. Yes, inside the garage was about 20 degrees... of course outside was way below 0. I guess I'll leave them in my basement and see what happens. I think they dried out very well in the garage but I never dusted them w/a powder. Next year I'll get it all right!

I absolutely love these flowers! Blessings. Lisa

Your welcome and good luck :-)