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How can you tell if bulbs are dead,?

susananwmssusananwms Posts: 213
in Plants
Is there a way of telling if a bulb is dead or do you just have to plant and wait. I'm sure I've found some that are no good, I did not store them correctly and think they have perished because of that. I have asked a couple of people and they just said plant and see what happens. I've sent a pic, not sure if enough detail though

Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I am assuming they are Dahlia tubers??
    If so, cut of the dead stems and plant in pots, in barely moist MPC, place in a frost free place and wait for a few weeks. Then you will know.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • susananwmssusananwms Posts: 213
    Wow punkdoc thanks for quick reply.  I am not sure what they are but I will definitely do what you say and see what happens
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    If the tubers were dead, they'd look either desiccated due to no water content, or wet and a bit soft due to a fungal infection causing rotting.  Yours look pretty good - I think there's hope!  
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think there's a shoot on that top one, but it might be the photo. 
    Follow the advice given and you might get a result. Don't bury them too deep.
    I agree, they look reasonably viable  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • susananwmssusananwms Posts: 213
    Thanks Plantminded and Fairygirl that is good news and to think I was going to put them in the rubbish.  I will plant them up and see what happens.  I will post on here if I get some flowers.  Love this site.
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