Letting the foliage die back....

I understand that bulbs (like daffodils or tulips) need the foliage to die back naturally in order to energize for the next year. Do corms and rhizomes require the same thing or can the dying foliage be cut back?

Thanks,
Sheila

you can cut it back. On iris I leave about a 3 inch top

Sheila,

Most, if not all bulbs require the foliage to gain nutrients for the following year. If you cut the foliage back, the bulb may not suffer, but it also may not get as much as it would if you let the greenery be. I tend to let crocus foliage (corms) die back along with the daffodil and tulip foliage.

Foliage on Bearded Iris is pulled away when it becomes unhealthy looking, but I never remove all of the foliage at once. I have cut the foliage down to about 4 inches above the ground, but that was during a transplant, to help the bulb channel more energy to new root production, and less energy to maintaining the green foliage.

Hope this helps...
Lori