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susanan_gw

Old Dog...New Tricks...

20 years ago

I've been growing dahlias for years and years and always stored them in sawdust in the root cellar because that's the way mother did it. Some made it, some didn't. When I found this forum and read about the Saran Wrap method, I decided it was time to change my ways. I butchered and bleached and powdered and wrapped and labeled and packed them away in the spare refrigerator. When I took a peek at them this morning,I was dismayed to find condensation built up inside the plastic. Is this normal? Won't they rot? Help please.

Comments (6)

  • 20 years ago

    I have heard a few concerns on this lately. I did some with saran,some in plastic shopping bags "looser" and some in peat. I think I need to check mine. Your condensation sounds bad and you might have time to fix them.

  • 20 years ago

    bigcityal, I would be very interested in hearing about the survival rate of yours. I also did some using the saran wrap method, but most in the recycled grocery bag method. Of course, the key in both is to dust with a bulb dust of some sort.

  • 20 years ago

    I've had a little condensation in some of the looser wraps of plastic wrapped tubers on occasion. I don't know what to tell you. If it's in between layers of Saran and not next to the tubers, you should be fine. Only time will tell if they will rot or not. Can you lower the humidity level in your fridge?

    Here's what I like: "butchered and bleached" LOL! You don't mind if I borrow that catchy little phrase for next fall do you?

  • 20 years ago

    Jroot,
    I'll be going thru them as soon as I get a chance. I have been checking the temp's of them ,42-47 so far. I have done poor on my canna storage(50% loss) in the past - do you have any advice on them?

  • 20 years ago

    I would think cannas wouldn't mind it a little warmer than the dahlia tubers. In the past I have had good luck with them just in a plastic grocery bag. They seem to go more dormant than dahlias so keep easier for me.

  • 20 years ago

    Cannas , that one for me is easy. But first a short story. 2 summers ago I stopped to admire a canna garden while I was out of town. I thought the gardener needed to betold of the appreciation for such beauty.
    Turned out to be a 60ish looking fellow (actually 90), and he then proceeded to "dig me up a few". My Father taught me well to respect and so I offered to do the labor.

    Dad also taught me never to push the issue!

    So, there I am with 3 big black garbage bags 1/3 filled with cannas, that had been cut off about 6 inches from the ground and the "easy" dirt shook off.

    He said "take them, just like THAT, and put them into a cold spot (40'-50')(in my case our old coal cellar)and leave them alone. About March, he said, tear a small hole in each bag and peek in, if they are growing, make the hole a bit bigger, if not, leave them alone. He also said, if they are mushy leave the hole open for air.

    I lost one or two each bag (little ones) and that was that.

    I thought it was way to easy but, I'll be danged, it works!

    As for my dahlias, I have beeen so busy with family duty (older parents in law) so I had no time to do much more than put the clumps in vermiculite layers, in my coolers.