I have a bucket half full of Hyacinth, Calla Lily, and Daffodil bulbs that are beginning to sprout. What should I do with them? Should I plant them now and let them overwinter in the ground, leave them be in the bucket until spring to plant them, or what? I don't know what to do with them. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
I have never grown Calla Lily but I do know that Hyacinth and Daffs should be planted in the ground in the fall in order to bloom in early spring. My Hyacinths and some Daffs have already started sending up shoots. They usually do every fall and stay green thru the winter.
WellFF--I don't know what to say about them because the growing conditions and temps there are different than here, but if you lived here I would wrap them in newspaper and put them in the bottom of the fridge until spring. If planted now the sprouts would freeze and rot back into the bulb and propbably destroy it. So the goal would be to keep them dry, dark and as cool as possible until spring...if you lived here. Perhaps you can adapt this to your zone.
Sorry, but Daffs and Hyacinths should definitely be in the ground. Get them in deep enough and frost will not affect them. Never grown Calla so cannot help with that, but will say that any bulb which is growing would be better planted, even if it is in a pot and kept in a glasshouse.
FlowerFreak, Go ahead and get all your bulbs in the ground as soon as you can. They will send up little green foliage, sit there all winter, and then take off in the spring. We are in Texas, zone 8b, and that's what happens with our bulbs (daffs, callas, and crocus). When you plant them throw a bit of bone meal or composted manure in the planting hole. Gives them a bit of help in getting good roots established and food for the bulb's strength. Spring flowering bulbs are usually planted two to three times the height of the bulb (if the hyacinth bulb is 2" tall, plant it 6" deep).
Well, looks like I'll be putting them in the ground. Now I just have to figure out where I'm going to put them. Thanks everyone for the responses! They are very much appreciated.
I have to dig my calla bulbs every fall before the first frost (I hope it doesn't realize I goofed and let them in too long this year)...I love calla lilys. I have some dark maroon ones that are my favorite and then the white. The white seem hardier. I plant mine in a container every spring after the cold outside. I am in zone 4 Wisconsin.
I had the same doubts. Thanks for the help. I will plant in the ground. After I come here to tell the results.
