Do Dormant Plants Need Air ?

[Nyboy]

This is going to be my first attempt at over wintering Geraniums and Dahlias. The only place I have thats not heated and will not freeze is attic. Because mice sometime move into attic in winter, rather then store them in paper bags, going to use plastic lidded tub. Do I need to make small holes for ventilation ?

 

[so lucky]

How about wire baskets? I would think the bulbs might rot if sealed up like that in plastic. Maybe you could put them in a plastic tub, then make a wire lid for it.

 

[Smart Red]

I believe someone else here uses plastic containers, but I've never tried it. I haven't had mice nibbling the tubers either. Perhaps Northeastern rodents are more discriminating that those in South-est, central-est Wisconsin. I do like the idea of wire lids, but you also do need to keep them from drying out not just freezing. That's where sawdust, peat moss, or sand comes in.

 

[Smart Red]

Geranium roots don't go in plastic that I know of. I've heard of folks just paper bagging them and hanging the plants from a nail. Be sure to check them every couple months to check for wrinkling associated with drying out. Water a tad and let them hang for another few months.

 

[Nyboy]

Everywhere but attic is heated, read geraniums need to be kept around 45 degree.

 

[Carol Dee]

Geranium roots don't go in plastic that I know of. I've heard of folks just paper bagging them and hanging the plants from a nail. Be sure to check them every couple months to check for wrinkling associated with drying out. Water a tad and let them hang for another few months.

That is how my MIL did it and always had lovely geraniums.

 

[catjac1975]

This is going to be my first attempt at over wintering Geraniums and Dahlias. The only place I have thats not heated and will not freeze is attic. Because mice sometime move into attic in winter, rather then store them in paper bags, going to use plastic lidded tub. Do I need to make small holes for ventilation ?

I think your plants will mold and rot.

 

[Nyboy]

Mold is what I am worried about

 

[catjac1975]

I kept my dalias in a paper grain bag in my cellar that is cool but does not freeze. They were fine-I'm sure I get some mice. They were fine until the year I forgot about them and didn't plant them.