HELP Lost bulbs just found!!!

I just found some lost tulip and daffodil bulbs, purchased this past fall. They were put away in a closet and forgot about. Several of them have sprouted green tips. It is 5 degrees here in zone 5, problem too frozen to dig in the ground. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THEM????

If the bulbs are still firm, I think the best way to save them would be to pot them up and keep them in a cool place (above freezing) for 6-8 weeks or so. If there are'nt a lot of them the fridg works well; a garage or cellar works well too. I have also potted bulbs and sat them against the foundation of the house and covered completely with mulch with good results. Good luck,
Neal

I would pot them up and put them in a garage or other cool place for a month or so then bring them in if they form flowers and enjoy them inside. Remember to water them. If they don't flower, let the leaves go through their growth period and then dry and store them for planting next fall. Just remember which closet you put them in! I have been there and done that. If you get a big thaw you could try planting them out. I planted out daffodils one year in Vt in mid Jan and they did bloom modestly that spring and have flourished since. This was posted at the same time as the previous post and I agree that leaving them again the foundation with mulch would work well. Patti

This message was edited Feb 5, 2007 8:05 AM

I don't really have a cool place, as the garage is not attached to our house and is usually close the the outside temp; and my basement is heated. Our temps have dipped below 0 this week, so how would they do potted up outside? Would the bulbs that are not showing any sign of growth be OK potted up and placed outside? I might be able to pot the "sprouted" bulbs and and fit them into the fridge. Will they continue to grow (in the dark)?

They need a few weeks of cool to root and stimulate them to flower before you let them start growing. If they freeze solid before rooting they will often turn soft and rot, like an onion that has frozen. Covering deeply them with mulch or straw outside should take care of it.

If you have a big insulated cooler you can pot them up and put them in there for a month or so and it will be keep them above freezing and dark, just like being in the ground. You could leave it outside or in the garage. I don't ever have extra space in my frig and I know you have to be careful about mixing bulbs with certain foods as it will cause the bulbs to go bad. Patti

....even the bulbs that have green growth? pot them, fridge them for several weeks, and they should be OK to put out under mulch? As you can tell, I have very little experience with bulbs....so thanks for your patience..,

Tammy,

I too have bulbs that didn't get planted...lots of them. They have been in a cool room...maybe 50 degrees and most have sprouted. Since there are so many, and it would be a lot of work to buy soil and pot up so many, I just plan to plant them as soon as the ground thaws....maybe later this month. I've done that b4, and though some bulbs did not bloom that season, they did live to bloom the next season.

Might you know anyone who has some cold/cool storage where you could keep them for a bit?

Sue