old bulbs

13 years ago

I recently found a box in the crawlspace of my family's old home, it was full of about two hundred old plant bulbs of all shapes and size quite a variety. Most, if you peel the onion type skin from them have a hard center yet soft enough to cut it in half with a knife., I have never messed with bulbs let alone old ones. Should I just toss them or what?
I'm reminded of scientist finding seeds for olive tree in the tomb of someone and planting the seeds, and getting a old long gone variety of olive tree, who knows?
If there's a possibility, how do I proceed? Have no idea what kind they are, guess that's what make the whole thing a want to do, thing. will appreciate any come back!

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Comments (7)

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
13 years ago
Well all you will be out is your time, if you have a place to plant them and find out if any are still viable. Al
sun_worshiper
13 years ago
Cool! You should totally plant them and see what you get! Some kinds of bulbs can survive a long time unplanted. You never know what you might get!
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susanzone5 (NY)
13 years ago
Plant the bulbs as deep as about 3 times their size. A 2" bulb would get planted about 6 inches deep, etc.

Be prepared for rodents and other pests to dig them up. Sounds like fun to try planting them.
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
13 years ago
And...once you have them in the ground be sure to take a 'before' picture.

Then in April of next year, take an 'after' picture.

And post both of them here!

Jim
plantnut65
Original Author
12 years ago
can i plant these after I harvest the winter gardens, because all my gardens are replanted now with fall through winter varieties and should I divide them out in size, I had planned to simply arrange the bulbs with top up. Included is a picture of now
plantnut65
Original Author
12 years ago
An update,
Sorry, the bulbs were to old I guess, none have come up, not even a hint. all of the bulbs that have been here for years, have already come up and some have even bloomed already, but sadly no others, Thanks much.
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
12 years ago
Don't give up on them yet. They look like glads from the picture and if old and dried out it will take some time to show any above the ground growth. Al