Hi, I need to dig up, seperate and mail off some bulbs to a freind in a neighboring state. Could someone give me some advice on this, especially the packaging to ship. Thank You.
Shipping lily bulbs
I would just wrap them ea bulb in a brown paper bag thus avoiding moisture that can lead to rotting. use a marker and write name/color right on the bag. Once in the box, you may want to add peanuts or bunched up newspaper to prevent the bulbs from banging in traffic.
Do you have any peat or wood shavings available? The best way to ship is in a small amount of slightly moistened peat ~ enough that the bulb doesn't contact the plastic bag. Do you have any peat or wood shavings available? If not ~ I just received some bulbs that were packed in finely shredded paper only, right after being dug. It was very, very hot when they were shipped but arrived in excellent condition, nice and moist.
I noticed a lot of bulbs I get have some medium in it. Some look like peat moss in an aerated bag (small holes in bag plastic-type bag)and another medium looks like saw dust type material in an aerated bag. And then pack with paper, peanuts or whatever, outside these aerated bags. I see this as double protection of the bulb. Haven't ever had a damaged bulb when I have gotten them from the growers (this does not mean those who get their bulbs from Holland, then ship out). Just make sure your friend takes them out right away and either places them in refrigeration or plants them. Good luck!
Hey Moby- while I was typing you came up with the same idea.
Great minds. ;)
You bet, Moby!
Dont dig them now though. Wait till frost. They need to photosynthsize as much as possible. They need to gain as much starch and sugar as possible to get them through the winter.
inanda
Thanks Everyone! Am I correct in thinking that I just snap the bulb off the main bunch making sure it has roots attached?
If moving a bulb before the stem is ready to detach, just cut the stem 3 - 4 inches above the bulb. It will come off when ready and you'll have a ready-made marker for the location of the bulb.
This isn't the best time of year for shipping (and removing stems) but it's doable. :)
One thing that nobody has mentioned is letting the bulbs cool a day or two before sealing them into the shipping packages. One of our mentors (Dorothy Schaefer) told me the bulbs have a large amount of heat in them and it is best to cover them with peat or other shredded material and let them cool in the dark before shipping. They can be put in their bags with peat and then sealed a day or two later if you have different varieties, that would help you keep them separate. I guess not letting them cool before sealing is one of the reasons for that blue shipping mold, the bulbs sweat and the plastic bag holds the moisture...
Following up on Moby ---- If waiting to dig at he proper time, (after frost = no more photosythesis) TWIST not pull the stem. Hold the bulb firmly and twist. Pulling can sometimes tend to mess up the bulb.
inanda
I suggest you wash them well in a weak bleach solution, allow them to dry out for a few hours (I set mine on newspaper and turn a couple of times). I pack in Peat, wood shavings or vermiculite in plastic bags.
Oh yes.... Soaking, rinsing & drying is VIP> We do NOT want to spread the dread lily beetle.
Thanks for reminding us about this Mainiac.
inanda