That's totally normal. What you're seeing is next seasons growth just waiting until conditions are right to start growing again. Put them in the fridge and the shoots will do nothing until next spring.

If you were to dig up just about any perennial in your garden right now, you would find the same thing. Next seasons growth has already formed underground. About a month ago I dug up and divided some peonies and spring bulbs - tulips & scilla. All had new shoots ready and waiting for next spring.

Kevin

Phew! Thanks a lot, Kevin!

Bruce

Meant to ask, should I rinse the soil off these and let them dry before packing away, and should I refrigerate them in damp or dry vermiculite?

Bruce

When I grew these, I would dig them and pack them in dry peat moss in a covered, plastic container. The covered container seemed to keep in the necessary amount of moisture without having to add any. I don't believe I ever washed them off, but it probably wouldn't hurt any. Vermiculite should work equally as well. Of course I would periodically check them through the winter just to make sure everything is OK. Never lost a one.

Now there are those folks out there who will say to never, ever use a covered plastic container, but I've been doing it for years with a variety of terrestrial orchids and it works for me.

Kevin

Thanks again! I had planned on using zip-locs and putting the zip-locs in a larger plastic tub. Wonder what the grief is about the plastic. I have a Habaneria radiata that developed two bulbs this season and I 'll be putting those in with them.

Bruce