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Spent bulbs
snowy43
Posts: 118
We have a very small garden, so most of my plants, bulbs and shrubs are in tubs. I've had an excellent show of Tête à Tête narcissi and grape hyacinths, but I need to refill the pots for the summer so what do I do with the spent bulbs?
Last year I advertised them on Freecycle and they were collected, but I would really like to build up my stock. Can you dry the bulbs and keep them till it's time to replant them in the Autumn?
I know they don't cost a fortune, but it seems such a waste to have to get rid of them every year.
Any advice please?
0
Posts
If you tip out the contents of all of the pots intact and put them in (say) a wooden (or cardboard at a push) box lined with an empty compost bag, maintain watering and let the leaves die down naturally, all of the bulbs you mention will be good for next year. If you remove the leaves they won't be able to build-up the bulb and almost certainly won't flower next year.
Bob, if I let the foliage die down in a box, do I then leave the bulbs in there for the winter and do I water them?
Verdun, thanks too for your advice.
Snowy, no need to water anymore after the leaves have died back naturally. At that point you can remove the bulbs and store them somewhere cool and dark then plant them again in the autumn.
Thank you both so much for your advice.