From our perspective, the onset of cold weather signals a critical transition into dormancy. This is not a period of death, but a deep, restorative sleep. As temperatures drop and daylight wanes, we draw our energy back from our fading leaves down into our bulb, our core being. This bulb is a specialized storage organ, packed with the starches and nutrients we meticulously gathered during the growing season. This stored energy is the sole fuel source that will power our spectacular floral display and new growth when warmth returns. A proper winterization process is essential to protect this vital energy reserve from being destroyed by freezing temperatures.
Our greatest fear in your colder zones is not the cold air itself, but the formation of ice crystals within our bulb's tissues. We are tender perennials, evolved for milder climates, and our cells lack the natural antifreeze that hardy plants possess. If the moisture inside us freezes, it expands, rupturing cell walls and causing irreversible damage. This leads to mushy, rotten bulbs that cannot regenerate. An equally grave danger is sustained wetness. If we are left sitting in cold, waterlogged soil, we will succumb to fungal and bacterial rot, which will consume our stored energy and decompose us from the inside out. Our survival hinges on being kept cold but not frozen, and most importantly, dry.
The most secure method for you to ensure our survival is to lift us from the ground. Please wait until our foliage has yellowed and died back naturally after the first frost; this indicates we have finished withdrawing all possible energy back into the bulb. Gently dig us up, brush off the loose soil, and allow us to cure in a warm, dry, well-ventilated space out of direct sunlight for a week or two. This process allows our outer layers to dry and toughen, creating a protective barrier. Once cured, please place us in a container filled with a breathable medium like dry peat moss, perlite, or wood shavings. This medium insulates us and wicks away any residual moisture.
Our storage environment is paramount. We require a period of cool rest to reset our internal clock for spring blooming. The ideal location is dark, with a consistent temperature between 35-50°F (2-10°C). An unheated garage, a cool basement, or a ventilated crawl space often provides these perfect conditions. It is critical that this location never drops below freezing. Please check on us periodically during winter. If we appear to be shriveling excessively, a very light misting of water on the storage medium can provide humidity, but take great care to avoid making us wet. The goal is to keep us dormant and pristine, not to encourage any root or shoot growth until the true spring arrives.
