I"m not an expert, but I have a few thoughts about dahlias and caladiums. For dahlias, I dig them up after frost hits and then put them in pots covering the bulbs with two inches of potting soil. I shake off soil, but do not dry them. I store them in the basement, about 50 degrees. It takes up a lot of room, but I know plenty of people who do it this way, including the pros at the Arboretum. In Mid april, I start watering under lights and wait for growth. Caladiums can be stored in peat moss or sand, in trays. They don't like to be dry so I mist them periodically. Occasionally. I've forgotten them and they have dried out. The real problem with caladiums, for me, is that they are so slow to start in the spring.. A heatpad is pretty essential. I think gladioli are the easiest to store, just dry them and hang in mesh bags. If there's more to know than this, I haven't had to worry about it. So far, pretty lucky. Hope this helps.

Thanks, Karen.The storing certainly sounds easy enough. As for starting them, I guess I'll look into getting a heat pad. They are so pretty that it will be worth it to see them come back again.

I routinely kill stored bulbs- but I have had good luck with caladiums! I leave them in dirt too. And yes, bottom heat is a must to awaken them! They like it HOT!
While searching this whole site last winter- I learned several new ways to store bulbs- I may have better luck overwintering some this year-
Good luck to you!
Julie

I had a dahlia bulb (red pygmy cactus) completely shrivel up in storage last winter. I planted it anyway this spring-and while it is about 2/3's the size of what it was last year-it still bloomed beautifully. However, I think I will try your method this year Karen :)