storage of summer dormant bulbs
Jane McGary (Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:43:02 PDT)

Jim McK. asked,
Don't take this as advice. I'm really just fishing for

When I lift them for repotting, I take the surplus ones that I'll offer in
my sale list and put them in paper bags. At Costco you can buy big stacks
of the type of brown paper bag used to wrap bottles of wine, and these are
a handy size for bulbs too. For the frit bulbs and others that are
vulnerable to desiccation, I add a handful or two of vermiculite, just
barely, faintly moistened. My feeling is the the vermiculite will absorb
any excess moisture present, or provide a little moisture to the bulbs if
they need it. Then I set the bags, loosely closed at the top, in a
heavy-duty flat, and set these flats on my table. I write the name of the
bulbs with a big marker at the top and alphabetize them, so I can run
through them quickly when filling orders. I keep them in a room that is dim
and cool (my dining room, so indoor dinner parties are impossible in
August!). Atmospheric humidity is typically very low here during that time.

Jane McGary
Northwestern Oregon, USA