Gloriosa superba tubers

[meanie]

I know that this will sound like a dumb question, but I would really appreciate any advice.
I came home from work to find my Gloriosa pot had been blown over and smashed. I've scooped up the tubers -14 in total, although four are looking a little nibbled and old.
My question is, how best do I care for them now until next spring. I usually just allow them to die back and shove the pot in the cupboard until it's time to refresh the compost and bring them back into life. But this is now out of the window, so I was wondering what you would suggest?

Thanks for looking.

[bulborum]

I would replant them horizontal in new potting mixture
and do as normal
giving water and feeding a little
stop watering in December
do afterwards what you do normal
and hope they didn't suffer to much

probably they don't regrow this year

Roland

[meanie]

I would replant them horizontal in new potting mixture
and do as normal
giving water and feeding a little
stop watering in December
do afterwards what you do normal
and hope they didn't suffer to much

probably they don't regrow this year

Roland

Thank you for your reply Roland.
I would prefer them not to regrow this year, as I was just about to withdraw water for the year anyway, as I fear that the first frosts will be early this year.
I did not say in the question that there is no growth attached to the tubers, should I continue to water anyway?

[bulborum]

They probably don't regrow meanie
but they don't die down under the soil

do you have a picture from the tubers ??

Roland

[meanie]

They probably don't regrow meanie
but they don't die down under the soil

do you have a picture from the tubers ??

Roland

I do!

[mark smyth]

nice looking tubers. I havent seen anyone growing these in years.

[meanie]

nice looking tubers. I havent seen anyone growing these in years.

Well, they look nice to me, but I wasn't expecting to see them until the spring lift and refresh!
This is the result of buying one tuber three seasons ago. So the way that I've done it before has always worked for me! I feel a little dumb for asking such a basic question, but I now have ten tubers (plus four more that don't look as good) so want to get things right!

[mark smyth]

Great photo

[Maggi Young]

Meanie, how do you treat them ordinarily? When did you do the Spring refresh etc?

[meanie]

Thanks Mark!

Maggie - others more knowledgable may be able to offer better advice (I'm the one who is asking for help on quite a simple matter), but this is how I do it..............

Planting;Mine are refreshed mid/late March. As far as the medium goes I just use ordinary multipurpose compost with nothing added. My only stipulation is that it must smell “clean”. Plant on their sides about 50mm deep in a largish pot. The end of March is a good time to plant up. For the first and second year (when I had one and then two tubers) a 30cm diameter/deep pot was sufficient. This year I have four tubers, so its now 40cm.
Before covering, mark safe areas (I use bamboo cut to 15/20cm) where it will be safe (ie not where the tubers are) to put canes in for support later.
After planting, water in and keep the pot in a warm room or conservatory. On warm days put them out in the sun. Water only occasionally from the top until you see signs of life, but keep them in a reasonably deep saucer which you top up with tepid water every day or two.
At some point you will have to provide support – how you do this is up to you, but bear this in mind; G.superba will grow up to eight foot high in a good season, G.rothschildiana four to five foot.
From May onwards, it should be safe to leave them out at night too, although keep an eye out for nights where the temperature does dip (eight centigrade is a ballpark) and bring them in if needed.
Try to protect from winds and heavy rainfall at all times. You may have to help the tendrils on the leaves find each other sometimes too, as the stem doesn’t tend to twist itself around the support.
As far as watering goes, give them plenty of water. But once a month I’ll allow mine to get to the point of drooping before watering. This seemed to produce more flowers for me.
Feeding? If I remember! You’ll only use this soil for a season, but they did get a couple of feeds with Chempax no.3 (20/20/20).
As far as light goes, the books say to shade from the midday sun, but this is not an option that I have.
Mid September is when I withdraw water. When the leaves go brown I cut the stems.
Before the frosts arrive bring them indoors. The pot can sit in the conservatory or any other airy room until the soil has thoroughly dried out, at which point it can go under the stairs, in the spare room, bottom of the wardrobe or wherever for the winter.

[Maggi Young]

Meanie, thanks for the very full advice..... I reckon you've increased the number of tubers you have and had flowers.... that makes it worth asking how you do it, from where I'm sitting! 

[bulborum]

I renew the potting-mixture as soon as the soil is dry in December

later in the spring you sometimes break the young shoots
and always use a very large pot
tubers can be 30 cm long

Roland

[meanie]

Meanie, thanks for the very full advice..... I reckon you've increased the number of tubers you have and had flowers.... that makes it worth asking how you do it, from where I'm sitting! 

I had an eight cm seed pod too! Not sure that there was enough of the season left to mature it though.......

[Maggi Young]

I renew the potting-mixture as soon as the soil is dry in December

later in the spring you sometimes break the young shoots
and always use a very large pot
tubers can be 30 cm long

Roland

So you would repot in December and leaver dry and frost free until around March, Roland?

[meanie]

I renew the potting-mixture as soon as the soil is dry in December

later in the spring you sometimes break the young shoots
and always use a very large pot
tubers can be 30 cm long

Roland

Thanks for that advice sir - from this I conclude that despite my initial "panic" I'm not really any further back than I should be. Would you split the joined tubers (which I have been doing in the spring) or not?
Your advice is much appreciated!