Digging & Storing Tender Bulbs

Tender bulbs, corms, tubers, and the like, are those that require digging and storage in parts of the country with cold winters, usually USDA hardiness zones 1-7. Obviously, in Northeastern Ohio (zones 5-6), we get our fair share of snow and freezing temperatures where tender bulbs like Cannas, Dahlias, Gladiolas, Caladium, Alocasia, Calla Lilies, Tuberous Begonias, and even Geraniums can be lifted and stored to enjoy next season. 

1. After the first fall frost, trim and remove the foliage of the plant leaving roughly 6 inches of the stem to serve as a “handle”.
2. Once the foliage has been removed, gently dig a wide hole around the base of the plant with a shovel or pitchfork. Using the stem “handle”, lift the plant and remove any excess dirt. Tuber clusters can become quite large over the course of the growing season, so be sure to check the hole for any remaining tubers.

Tip: Most tender bulbs are hardy enough to tolerate several frosts, but need to be removed and stored before a hard freeze. The more cold-sensitive bulbs like Alocasia, Caladium, and Begonias need to be dug just before or immediately after the first fall frost.

We’ve found that tubers are much more pliable and therefore easier to divide in the fall. Start by removing the rest of the stem, then divide large tuber clumps into smaller clusters. If you prefer to divide each cluster into individual tubers for storage, be sure to keep the crown and eye of the tuber with each cutting.

If any tubers were damaged during the digging process, make a clean cut with a sanitized blade.

Once you’ve finished prepping your tubers, pack them in a breathable container filled with a fresh, dry, storage material such as peat moss, vermiculite, or newspaper. Packaging with the proper materials will slow moisture loss and protect from disease and pest issues.

A cool basement, root cellar, or garage is ideal for storage. The goal is to keep the tubers in an area that is easy to access and stays around 40-50° F.