Most bulbs will need a growing season within that year to establish themselves again. Then when the right planting times arrive, all you need to do is plant them out as before!Ī word of warning – some bulbs such as Hippeastrum may bloom within the same season that they’re replanted out. Pack them into a brown paper bag and leave in a cool, airy dry place. Dust the bulbs with a fungicide, then dry them on a mesh rack. Clean the healthy bulbs by removing dead foliage, soil and any loose stuff. Once lifted, discard any diseased or damaged bulbs. If you live in a milder area, leave them where they are as long as the soil is well-draining. It is best to get it done before winter frosts come along which may kill them off. Gladioli can be lifted while foliage is dying back. Trim the stalks back to about 15cm before lifting the tubers. At this stage they should be in dormancy. Some dahlias may still be flowering, so they should be left until their growth is blackened by frost. The photosynthesis from the leaves gives them all they need to come back fighting fit next season. You don’t want to take them out while the leaves are still green as they’re still producing food and energy for the bulb to get through winter. This will be at least six weeks after flowering. To lift any bulb, corm or tuber, wait until their growth has turned yellow and died down. This will ensure that they do not get over-watered and vice versa. If you are looking at planting summer bulbs where your winter bulbs are, it is best to take the winter bulbs out. In really wet winter rainfall areas, consider lifting your dahlia tubers as they don’t enjoy being wet and will likely rot. Or plant them into mesh pots to store in a dry area. We recommend keeping them in a frost-free garden shed until spring comes around again. If you are in a garden that gets heavy frost, you may want to lift your bulbs and store them undercover. Those that are half-hardy – ones that may need a sheltered sunny spot in well-draining soil, such as dahlias, tuberous begonias, tritonia and tulbaghia, may need a little more protection in a winter mulch. ![]() These include: Crinum, Dierama, Crocosmia and Hemerocallis. Many indigenous summer flowering species (from summer rainfall areas) actually resent being disturbed once they have been planted. ![]() For those in the winter rainfall areas, it could be problematic if they don’t have well-draining soil, lending bulbs to rot. Should I lift my bulbs in winter?Īs we head into the colder temperatures of winter, many are worried that their precious gladioli corms and dahlia tubers may take strain or freeze. Just cover them in a nice warm blanket of mulch in a spot that isn’t sodden. Many bulbs are hardy perennials that can just be left where they are. One of our most asked questions is: should I lift my bulbs or not?įortunately, the South African climate does not require many members of the bulb family to be taken out the soil – unless you’re making space for other bulbs or annuals to be planted out. Zinc A variety of zinc pots, planters and watering cans.Ceramics A variety of ceramic pots and planters.Glassware A variety of vases, pots and bottles.Terracotta A variety of terracotta pots.Garden Accessories A variety of accessories to keep your garden in shape.Indigenous Flower bulbs indigenous to South Africa.
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