Hi all, can't wait until spring. This 7 degree stuff is awful.

[Paper Roses]

Need a tip or two. Very late in the planting season I was given a huge bunch of Tulip bulbs, I waited a few days too long to plant them, the ground froze. I put them in the cellar but they are starting to sprout.

Unless we get a few warm days here in NE so I can dig holes, I'm out of luck. Any ideas on how to retard the sprouting?
Thanks

[Denninmi]

1. Actually, it's ok that they sprout.

What they really need is some exposure to moist cold. Dry cold will not have the same physiological effect, and, while they'll survive and even grow, they will probably be very short and stunted.

The best way to hold them for spring planting that I've found is in a bag of slightly moist spaghnum peat moss in the refrigerator, or at least someplace with temps ABOVE freezing but below about 42. If cold enough, they can be kept completely dark as well. When they come out of this treatment in early spring, they'll have roots and short sprouts. You can then plant them about 6 inches deep, mulch a bit, and they'll bloom and grow pretty normally.

[Paper Roses]

2. Thanks, I'll put them in a paper bag in our very cool cellar. n/t