They're tough, but this may be asking too much (imo). If it weren't for the 'in bucket more than a year', I'd say plant them, if you have to do it in potting soil or sawdust..but with such a long shot?

Is there dirt in the bucket? A year out of dirt isn't good. But get them into some dirt and they might be OK. I regularly have irises in pots with dirt, and they are fine.

hi from MI ...

do you happen to have a compost pile thats still not frozen??? .. if so.. i might just stick them in it ... and then let it freeze up [it is MI..lol] in its natural course ...

and.. where are they now??? .. hope they arent in the house staying all warm and toasty ... i would probably have them out in the garage ...

and if the ground thaws in the next week or 2.. and you have them hardened off to outside temps.. i might just shove them all in a small nursery bed.. and forget about them ...

i agree.. sine they have already been tortured for a year in the pail ... odds are extremely low ... so why not just put them outside and forget about them ...

did you at least get a free bucket out of the deal.. lol ..

ken