From our perspective, we are not truly "corms" but tuberous roots. We are not a dormant organ like a true corm or bulb; we are fleshy, fragile, and prone to desiccation or rot. Our winter survival strategy in the wild is to die back completely to the ground after setting seed. Our energy, gathered throughout the spring growing season, is stored within our clustered, claw-like root structures. This stored energy is our lifeline, the sole source of fuel that will initiate new growth and send up fresh stems and leaves when favorable conditions return. Our entire future depends on you protecting this stored energy reserve from freezing, decay, and dehydration during our mandatory dormant period.
Please do not rush us. After our beautiful blooms fade, our leaves remain green and vital. This is not a time of idleness; it is a critical period of recharge. Our foliage continues to photosynthesize, converting sunlight into energy that is sent down to be stored in our roots for next year's show. Allow our leaves to yellow and wither naturally. This process signals that we have successfully translocated all possible energy reserves downward. Cutting the foliage back too early severely diminishes our stored energy, resulting in weaker growth or our complete failure to re-sprout.
Once our foliage has completely died back, you may gently lift us from the soil. Please be exceptionally careful. Our bodies are brittle and easily damaged. Use a garden fork to loosen the soil around us, avoiding direct contact with our fragile structures. Gently shake off the loose soil. Do not wash us with water, as introducing moisture at this stage greatly increases our risk of rotting in storage. Instead, allow us to dry in a single layer in a warm, shaded, and airy location for a few days. This curing process allows any minor wounds to callus over and any remaining soil to dry and fall away.
Our storage needs are very specific. We require a environment that is consistently cool, dark, and, most critically, dry. The ideal temperature range for our slumber is between 50-55°F (10-13°C). Temperatures at or below freezing will cause the water within our cells to crystallize, irreparably damaging our tissues and ending our life cycle. Conversely, warmth will signal us to break dormancy prematurely, depleting our energy before it's time to plant. Please pack us in a breathable medium such as slightly moistened peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings placed in a mesh bag, paper bag, or a cardboard box with ventilation holes. This medium buffers us, preventing excessive moisture loss while still allowing air circulation. Check on us periodically throughout the winter; if we appear to be shriveling, the medium may be too dry, and if we feel soft or show mold, the conditions are too damp.
