Spring Bulbs Not Planted - Advice

My sister in law sent me the following email:

I bought a bunch of spring bulbs to plant last fall and did not do it because we put the house on the market. What would be your advise? Should I plant them now or wait until fall? I believe if I do not plant them I need to keep them in a cool dry place like the basement. I'd appreciate any ideas!

She is Zone 5 Massachusetts. I was going to tell her I thought the bulbs were a total loss and wouldn't be worth the effort to plant now or save until the fall. But as I don't have any direct experience I wondered if anyone else has an opinion? I am not sure from her email where the bulbs were stored from when she bought them. It could have been a basement, unheated garage (which she has) or even inside.

Any advice to tell her?

Sue

If the bulbs are still firm, I would advise planting them. The longer they sit in storage, the more they use up the food and energy stored in the bulb. So long as they are not mushy or hollow, I personally would plant them.

No harm in trying - they might respond quite well although they will flower late. Go on give them a chance!

Thanks I passed your advice along. My first inclination is that it would be pointless but you've convinced me no harm in recommending she give it a go.

If anyone reading this post has ever done this I would be interested in hearing how it turned out for you. Things like the approximate percentage of bulbs that bloomed the next year? I tried looking here on DG to see if anyone had posted their similar experiences but no luck finding any postings.

Sue

Not exactly the same situation because I'm in a no-freeze zone, but my girlfriend gave me a bunch of daff bulbs that she had neglected to plant last year (fall of 2004). It was the totally wrong time of year but I planted them here at my new home while visiting in July (2005) but before I'd actually moved. Most, if not all, did just fine (March 2006 pictures).

And these.

Ooohhh. Pretty flowers, too!

Well worth the try!

I just planted a bunch of old gladiola bulbs...a bunch of which had dried mold growing on them. Plus, I planted 'late' in the season. I now have approximately 80 glads coming up in my garden.... I'd tell yur sis that if they re not rotten, go ahead and plant them...what does she have to lose?

My ex-husband planted tulip bulbs last spring and they did not come up, but then they did come up THIS spring...

Jomejamo