I recently went all out in an online sale and bought around 240 different flower bulbs, mainly tulips along with some gladiolus, buttercup, and ranunculus. I didn't really check when they should be planted since I'm in Southern California. If I hold onto them for a few weeks before planting in my raised beds, will they still be okay? Also, what's the best way to store them besides keeping them in a cool, dark, and ventilated area? How long can I wait to give these bulbs the best chance of thriving?
3 Answers
If you plan on waiting a bit, you can try putting the bulbs in your fridge, but make sure to keep them in a bag that’s slightly open for ventilation. You’ll want to take them out occasionally for some fresh air. Let them chill for about 3-4 weeks, then you can plant them. Just be careful not to let them get too dry or moldy in there!
A lot of folks suggest planting right away. Even though you might not get blooms this year, bulbs have a better shot at survival if they’re in the ground. Just a heads-up though, tulips might not thrive in SoCal since they need some cold weather to really bloom properly. Gladiolus and ranunculus are better suited for spring planting, so I’d recommend getting them in the soil as soon as you can.
You should definitely plant those bulbs now since SoCal winters aren’t that harsh. As for your tulips, they might not flower again after this year due to the warm climate. If you can't plant immediately, a cool, dark place like an unheated garage should be okay for a few weeks.