Storing Tender Summer Bulbs

-ByBy Patricia Hanbidge

September 1, 2024

Along with all the other showy annuals we may have growing it is the exotic plants that are show stopping at this time of year. Unfortunately, we are already starting to see the temperatures drop overnight to single digits, and it is with a heavy heart that I accept that autumn is just around the corner.

These tender summer flowering bulbs are native to the tropical and sub- tropical regions and thus need some special care as autumn approaches. Tender bulbs are those plants that have fleshy storage structures (bulbs, corms, tubers and roots) which will meet their demise over winter if they are not brought indoors out of the extremely cold winter temperatures. It is important to dig up these structures and bring them into a warmer area for storage throughout the winter.