54 CIRCULAR 278, TJ. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



age. They should be stored dry in shallow trays with ample ventila- 

 tion but only after a curing period of 3 to 6 weeks in an open or well- 

 ventilated shed. 



Common and golden callas (Zantedeschia aethiopica and Z. elli- 

 ottiana) stored at 35° F. and a relative humidity of 70 to 75 percent in 

 dry soil, sand, or peat will keep for many months if it is necessary to 

 store them. The normal rest period in the forcing cycle is during 

 May, June, and July. Unless water is withheld during this period 

 complete dormancy will not exist. Therefore, storage in a dry con- 

 dition is essential, with sufficient humidity to prevent undue shriveling. 



Bulbs 



Most varieties of daffodils (Narcissus), hyacinths, freesias, squills 

 (Scilla), snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis), Crocus, and similar bulbs 

 may be held at 55° to 60° F. for 4 to 6 months. However, these as well 

 as tulips (Tulipa) are usually not stored, because better results are 

 obtained by planting them as soon as they are received. Paperwhite 

 narcissus (108) may be stored at 75° to 80° for 5 to 7 months from 

 digging time. 



Tulips are usually not stored in any packing material, although 

 the use of such material may be advantageous for long storage. Tem- 

 peratures of 36° to 38° F., except for short storage, are considered 

 rather low for tulips shipped from the West in which the buds are 

 already formed. The best storage temperature for shipped tulips is 

 between 50° and 55°, at which they may be kept for 4 to 6 months. 

 Tuberoses (Polianthes tuber osa) stored at a temperature of 40° to 45° 

 may be expected to keep satisfactorily for 6 to 8 months. 



Bulbs of the genus Lilium, of which there are approximately 50 

 species, are like most other bulbs in giving best results if planted when 

 received. However, as Easter lilies are forced during the entire year, 

 it becomes necessary to provide cold-storage conditions suitable for 

 satisfactory holding until they are wanted for planting. The bulbs 

 should be packed in boxes in thoroughly dry soil if rooting and desic- 

 cation are to be prevented. A temperature of 32° to 35° F., with a 

 relative humidity of 75 to 80 percent, is recommended; under these 

 conditions they may be held for 6 to 8 months. 



The procedure of storing certain bulbs for a time previous to plant- 

 ing at a temperature that will subsequently hasten flowering is in con- 

 siderable use commercially. Bulbs so handled are said to be "pre- 

 cooled" (7,31,32). 



LITERATURE CITED 



(1) Allen, F. W. 



1932. POSSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF COLD STORAGE FOB STONE FRUITS. 



Ice and Ref rig. 82 : 424. 



(2) and Pentzer, W. T. 



1936. STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF HUMIDITY IN THE COLD STORAGE OF FRUITS. 



Amer. Soc Hort. Sci. Proc (1935) 33:215-223, illus. 



(3) Allen, R. C. 



1938. TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STORAGE OF 



dahlia roots. Amer. Soc Hort. Sci. Proc. (1937) 35:770-773. 



(4) Bain, H. F., Bergman, H. F., and Wilcox, R. B. 



1942. HARVESTING AND HANDLING CULTIVATED CRANBERRIES. U. S. Dept. 



Agr. Farmers' Bui. 1882, 24 pp., illus. 



