There was a post here sometime ago about planting bulbils in pots. Should those pots beleft outside?
BULBILS HOW TO HANDLE
I'd say yes, leave them outside. That way they will experience the natural temperature cycle. I water them good at first then put them under the eaves where I can then control the water content. It rains all fall, winter and spring here and would otherwise rot the bulbs/bulbils/scales. I treat all this way if they are potted up.
On the other hand if you get deep freezes they may need more protection. Hopefully someone who grows under those conditions will pipe in!
I transplanted all of my seedlings (tiny bulbs) and bulblets outside last fall and they all over wintered nicely. I watered them in and mulched them in good at the appropriate time early winter. They all seemed to survive and I think one even bloomed this summer. I was shocked.
Also of note that we had continuous ample snowfall/snowcover last winter and that may very well have helped.
Hope that helps. Good luck with those babies!
I plant my bubils and bublets in 3" pots and set them outside in late Oct and then mulch them with straw. I generally uncover them in late Apr or earlier, depending on weather. I generally get about 90% success. I rarely get a first year bloom, but when I do it is always from a bublet.
Thanks for the input. We usually get hard freezes in mid December here though some years we have none at all. I believe that I will bury the pots up to the rim and then mulch with 3 or 4 inches of ground leaves as really cold weather sets in. I may bring some pots in in early march and put under lights in warm basement. Feel free to comment on my plan .
John
John, I think your plan will work just fine. I've overwintered tiny bulbils similarly with no problems. I didn't bring them in early, just allowed them to sprout when spring came, but its probably not a bad idea; I've noticed the babies emerge before the adults and could easily be damaged by spring freezes.
Neal