We would like to see a revival of the lush blossoms of wilted onion plants the following year. This raises the question of what to do with the underground storage organ. Should you leave flower bulbs in the ground or dig them up? Read the answer here.
Can you leave flower bulbs in the ground?
Flower bulbs can be left in the ground without hesitation as the cold stimulus supports the blooms. Only frost-sensitive species and tulip bulbs should be dug up in autumn and kept in a cool place over the winter before being replanted in spring.
Can you leave flower bulbs in the ground?
You can leave wilted flower bulbswithout worry in the ground. In fact, the cold stimulus is beneficial for opulent flowers when flower bulbs overwinter in the ground. While tulips, daffodils and hyacinths wither and their leaves dry, nutrients are transferred from the herbaceous parts of the plant to the underground storage organ. After the winter rest phase, the onion plants will sprout again the following year. How to do it right:
- Allow onion plants to wither and dry out.
- Cut off drawn-in stems and leaves at ground level.
- Exception: Dig up the tulip bulbs, keep them cool and dark over the summer, and replant them in the fall.
Which flower bulbs should you not leave in the ground?
Fromfrost-sensitiveFor perennial species, you should not leave the flower bulbs in the ground. Withered onion plants from subtropical and tropical regions will also delight you with lush flowers the following year if you dig up the flower bulbs inautumn, overwinter frost-free and put them back in the ground in spring. These include:
- Begonia (Begonia)
- Dahlia (Dahlia)
- Gladiolus (Gladiolus)
- Kalla (Zantedeschia)
- Montbretia (Crocosmia)
- Knight's Star (Amaryllis)
- Chocolate flower (Cosmos atrosanguineus)
Tip
Voles like to eat flower bulbs
If the furry pests gnaw on the underground storage organ, tulips, daffodils and other bulbous plants do not sprout. Plant flower bulbs vole-proof in a close-meshed wire basket. You can make a vole basket yourself (€10.00 on Amazon) or buy it cheaply, for example as a small 10 cm x 10 cm basket with a lid and 10 mm mesh size for a price starting at €3.50.
