Nov 10, 2009 By Herald Standard Staff 5 min read

Better get a move on to dig up those bulbs It would be a sure bet that gardeners across the region are spending the last days of autumn planting just a few more spring-flowering bulbs – I was this past week. But something that can’t wait any longer are those tender summer-flowering bulbs, corms and tubers that brought such joy until just a few weeks ago. Because of our cold winters, dahlias, cannas, tuberous begonias, caladiums, gladiolus, and other tender bulbs need to be removed from the ground and stored through the winter if you want to enjoy them again next year. To be sure, it would have been better to have done this chore in late October, but if you haven’t yet, tender bulbs, corms and tubers need to be dug up before the ground freezes. Through the summer and fall, the foliage of these plants use photosynthesis to supply energy to the plant’s underground food storage organ. But when the frost has killed back or blackened the foliage, that’s the signal to dig up those bulbs, corms and tubers.

When I’m ready to dig up these tender plants, I cut the foliage back to about 6 inches above the ground. Some gardeners leave the foliage of tender bulbs and gladiolus alone until after the bulbs and corms are dug, so you have a “handle” of sorts to work with as you dig those plants. I think 6 inches works well, and after the bulbs and corms are extracted from the soil I trim the dead foliage back to about 2 inches.

The best tool to use to “lift” these plants is a garden fork. You can gently use the fork to loosen the soil around the bulbs, corms and tubers. Try not to damage them, as any wounds open an avenue for disease.

After I’ve removed the bulbs, corms or tubers from the ground, I shake or brush off any excess soil and spread them out to dry in a warm, well-ventilated spot.

Tender bulbs will dry in a couple of days; then it’s best to place the bulbs in flats or paper bags. If the bulbs have little bulblets, you can remove them from the main bulb and store them separately. With annual planting and lifting, it will take three years or so for bulblets to mature to a size to produce flowers.

Gladiolus corms are treated a little differently. Gladiolus corms need to be cured (dried) in a dry, well-ventilated location out of direct sunlight for several weeks. After the corms are dried, you need to remove and save the daughter corms from around the original corm. The old corm can be thrown away. The daughter corms will be the ones that bloom the next year after they are replanted. You may also find some tiny cormlets (similar to bulblets) that you can save and treat as you would bulblets.

Tender bulbs and gladiolus corms should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated place where the temperature remains between 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is too warm, the bulbs and corms will shrivel.

Tender tubers, such as dahlias, cannas, tuberous begonias and caladiums, should also be laid out to dry after they are lifted from the ground. When dry, gently remove any remaining soil from the tubers. Place the tubers in flats or boxes so they are separated and surrounded by peat moss. It is important that these tubers be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, such as a basement, unheated garage or protected shed. The tubers should not be exposed to frost or freezing.

As you package your tender bulbs, corms and tubers for winter storage be sure to tag or label the bags, boxes and flats so you know what you have. Everyone believes they will remember what is what without labeling. Unfortunately, winter is often long and memory is short-at least that’s my personal experience when I thought I would be sure to remember what was in each unlabeled bag. The next spring I found myself guessing!

Lifting tender bulbs, corms and tubers is not for everyone. Some gardeners can’t be bothered and just buy new ones each year. Sometimes I do just that. But sometimes I find a variety I really like, and there is no guarantee that I may find it again the next year. And then there are those canna tubers I got from my aunt who passed away last year.

And the glads a friend gave me. Well, this time of year, between raking leaves, I’m digging those tender plants and preparing them for a winter’s rest in the garage.

It’s probably not too late if you have some to dig, too. But you’d better get a move on.

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Susan Brimo-Cox gardens, observes nature and writes in Ohiopyle, Pa. Readers can send questions or comments to her at naturesgarden@brimo-cox.com.