Most Bulbs prefer not to be disturbed and can be left in the ground for
many years. But beware of overcrowding. When too many bulbs try to occupy
the same space, they will be less vigorous and flowers will be fewer and
smaller, an indication that it's time to transplant them.
How to Care for Spring Flowers After Blooming
Once the foliage dies back or matures in the late spring or early summer,
the bulb is dormant. You can tell the plant is dormant when the foliage is
brown and papery and can easily be pulled free. Summer is the dormant
period for
Spring Bulbs. As
the foliage dies back, the roots that nourish the bulbs also die back.
With fall rains, the bulb comes out of summer dormancy and roots begin to
grow again to provide the bulb nutrients and moisture. Once the Spring
Bulbs enter dormancy, the time is right to dig the bulbs if needed. Some
bulbs benefit from digging to divide the bulbs and spread them out over
the bed.
Lifting Bulbs
If you lift your Bulbs, they should be stored in a well ventilated place
and replanted in the fall. Every five years
Daffodils and
Crocus should be dug and replanted
to prevent overcrowding. The first sign of overcrowding will be a decrease
in the flower size, uneven bloom and uneven plant height. When this
occurs, dig, spread bulbs out and replant immediately.
Summer - Less hardy bulbs such as
Dahlias or
Begonias should be lifted each
fall. It is best to lift after frost has blackened foliage, gently spade
up the bulbs, being careful not
to cut into the bulbs/tubers and damage them. If you prefer to lift the
bulbs before frost has hit, you can dig your bulbs early and store them in
a well-ventilated, frost-free area until they are dry. Just let the leaves
remain on the bulbs until they become dry.
Most bulbs should be dried for about a week before you prepare them for
storage. Pull any loose any remaining foliage, shake the bulbs gently to
remove any clinging soil, dust them with fungicide powder to prevent rot
and place them in unsealed paper bags or old nylon stockings with some dry
peat moss to keep the bulbs from touching one another. Store them away
from sunlight in a cool, dry basement, cellar, garage or shed at 60° to
65°F. Avoid temperatures below 50° or above 70°F unless different
instructions are given for a particular bulbs. Follow specific storing
instructions for tender bulbs, such as Dahlias,
Gladiolus and Begonias.
For more information on lifting and storing dahlias for the winter please
see our blog article by clicking here:
Lifting and Storing Dahlias in
Winter.
Planting and Care of Bulbs: 
