Storing bulbs, tubers, corms, roots

I tried one year to store some dahlia bulbs in a freezer bag of mulch in the basement (heated) last year but they never grew this year. Storing bulbs would be a great thing for me b/c once all the pots need to be brought indoors, it gets crowded.

How do I store bulbs, tubers, corms and roots? What can't I store this way?

I guess I should come up with a check list at some point but a broad spectrum of info would be good right now.

Hi,
I store all my bulbstubers and croms in mesh onion bags. I just hang them up in the garage where we have our stove.
Winnie

I put them in a paper bag then in a covered cardboard box on the floor of my unheated basement.
Been doing this for decades with good results.
Dahlias, Glads and Oxalis.
Andy P

I love that plan! That is what I was thinking of doing also but wasn't sure if it would work. I remember my grandma put everything under her house. All her bulbs, dug potatoes, cut back ferns....Seemed to work for her but I was a little worried. Now I have decided! Under the house they go in paper bags and in a cardboard box! Thanks for the advise!
Robin

Robin, be sure they will not freeze. Do not use plastic gags, they are alive and must breath.

But what about the tropical bulbs? Like zone 9 trops and above?

I store tender bulbs in peat moss in a closet that stays quite cool. I use whatever container will accomadate them, and if I use plastic I make sure there's peat under and over the bulbs (and that they're dry before going into the container) and make sure the containers aren't sealed tight. I use this method for dahlias, caladiums, elephant ears, cannas, tuberous begonias, and callas. A basement or cellar is ideal (wish I had either one!) because they stay cooler and the air is usually a bit moist and keeps bulbs from over-drying. Good luck, Neal.

Many bulbs do fine stored in the container grown in. I store Gloriosas, Pineapple lilies (Eucomis), rain lilies (Zephyranthes), Zantedeschia (Calla lilies), Caladiums, Blood lilies (Scadoxus), Hymenocallis, Aztec lilies (Sprekelia), Polianthes (Tuberose), Chlidanthus, and Rhodohypoxis in their containers in basement (avg. temp 55 - 60 degrees). When spring rolls around most are then repotted in new potting medium.

Sprekelias are gorgeous! I'm jealous, lol.

Do you water them? I overwintered a ginger in it's pot in the basement and watered when I remembered (not often). It lived, I hope the other bulbs will too.

Last winter, after a couple of months of no water, I did splash some pots, some I didn't - both seemed equally fit when extracted and re-potted in early spring.
Picture shows storage early April this past spring, some are breaking dormancy.

Hello!
You have D-Mail

Hello!
You have dmail!!!