Overwintering Containers with spring bulbs

» kdjoergensen - How to overwinter containers with spring bulbs ?

I really enjoy your articles. Can you suggest how to best overwinter containers with spring flowering bulbs ?

It is difficult to get a right balance of storing cool without having the whole thing rot due to freezing temperatures.

Do you have any good ideas or techniques ?
Kenneth

-- posted by kdjoergensen

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» Mary Lou - Re: How to overwinter containers with spring bulbs ?

I think this depends where you live, and also why you've planted in containers. Are you trying to force them into earlier bloom, or are you growing in containers because you like a container of bulbs in different areas? If you're trying to force them, then there are specific times to keep the bulbs cold.

I grow some bulbs in containers because they aren't hardy in my area. I grow some fall-blooming daffodils, as well as some other daffodils which require special care after blooming. These pots either get sunk into my coldframe, or kept in the garage when the outside temperatures are too cold for them (below freezing). I'm not trying to force them into earlier bloom, so I just move them in and out of the garage. (They're on a cart, so moving is easy.) If it gets REALLY cold, I might throw a blanket over the cart in the garage.

-- posted by Mary Lou

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» plantsandpots - Re: How to overwinter containers with spring bulbs ?

In response to message posted by kdjoergensen:

Hi Kenneth,

Apologies for taking so long to respond to you. We have been dealing with Hurricane Jeanne here in Florida for the past several days (getting prepared) and we are now in the middle of it as I write! So far, not too, too bad here in St. Augustine.

What type of spring bulbs are you trying to overwinter? Also, what zone are you in?

My best success in cold climates has been overwintering container bulbs in the garage. Keep the containers from becoming bone dry, but be really careful not to provide too much water or the bulbs will indeed rot. Generally if you water when you move them to the garage, the cold temperatures will keep them moist enough over the winter. The shouldn't really have much risk of freezing in the garage. If you're in a somewhat temperate climate, then they can stay outdoors, and one or two small, short freezes probably won't hurt them.

I've had the best luck overwintering lilies, iris, callas and dahlias in containers. No luck with tulips --- you really have to consider them annuals in containers and start anew each fall. My October article will be on tulips and I'll include some more tips there.

-- posted by plantsandpots

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» NSRascal - Re: How to overwinter containers with spring bulbs ?

In response to message posted by kdjoergensen:

I overwinter container bulbs by digging the containers into a garden bed. Living in an apartment with limited garden space I try to make the most of what I have....garden in the winter is a storage space and summer vegetable garden. So far has worked good for 2-3 years

-- posted by NSRascal

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