Tulip Bulb Storage
If you're storing the bulbs for summer.
You've dug them out of the ground because somebody told you to (a waste of time and energy to me but what do I know) and you need to keep them for the summer.
Store cool and dry but the temperature isn't critical. Dry is. In the wild, the species tulip would live in a place where it seldom got a summer rainfall. The bulb is genetically programmed for hot dry summers in baking ground. So dry and in regular temperatures wherever you live will be fine.
If you're storing the bulbs for winter
There are actually two reasons you have bulbs in your possession during the winter months.
The first is that you forgot to plant them last fall. If this is the case, then ask question #1 - is the ground frozen solid? If so, then you're going to kiss your bulbs goodbye as they dry out. If the ground isn't frozen or is only slightly frozen, then you can plant them. Break through the small frost layer, put the bulbs at the bottom of the hole and water heavily and thoroughly. The water will stop the ground from freezing for just a while longer and the odds are your bulbs will be fine.
Or #2, you can try the technique below.
If you live in the South and you need to give your bulbs a dormancy period. You need to give them 14-16 weeks (16 is better) of 40F temperatures to get them to set a flower bud. You can do this by storing them in the crisper of the refrigerator (no, don't freeze them) for this time and then planting them.
If you want to ask a question about tulip bulb storage, click here
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