Have I ruined these bulbs?

[TheNarwhalBalloon]

Life has been a bit rubbish and I haven't planted my bulbs yet. Just realised they have been sitting in my living room in a cardboard box. Not near a radiator or anything but not in a cool place. Some have been there over 2 months and others about a month. I feel so silly; will they still be OK to plant or have I ruined them?

Thank you for any advice you can give me.

I have a box doing exactly the same - they were delivered very kate from a wholesale bulb seller. I am still hoping to plant them if we get some mild weather - I am sure they will live but perhaps they won’t flower next year.

Thanks Peaches. Should I wait for a spell of warmer weather before trying to plant them?

The only reason to wait for warmer weather is softer ground. Get them in when you can and see what happens in the spring, if not, next spring!

Provided they have not gone soft they should be fine and you can plant them anytime now! No virtue in waiting for warmer weather - get 'em in the ground ASAP

Thank you! Will I know if they're soft just from giving a squeeze?

I've still got a bunch to get in the ground. Every year I do this!

What kind of bulbs? Are they crumbling/sprouting/shrivelled?

If they're intact you'd be surprised how late you can plant them. I have been known to plant 1000 b and q bargains over the Christmas period and got away with it.

The one thing that's guaranteed is that if you don't plant them they won't grow. I'd crack on and get them in the ground as soon as you can. I've just optimistically slung some daffodil bulbs I dug up in the summer, put in a box, and found at the back of a cupboard last week into pots in the garden to give them a chance.

The one thing that's guaranteed is that if you don't plant them they won't grow.

So true and you feel awful looking at them.

As long as they’re not squashy or shrivelled they’ll be fine. Don’t wait for warmer weather, they need a spell of cold to grow properly.

Yes @TheNarwhalBalloon, just give them a gentle squeeze to see if they are soft or not - don't worry if they have started to sprout either, they will be fine! I planted 200 crocus and 100 tulip bulbs only yesterday, and fully expect them to flower in the spring, provided the wretched squirrels don't dig them up or the voles eat them all. Good luck, get planting👍

Thank you, I really appreciate the advice and encouragement 🤗

Get them in the ground.
They'll be fine especially tulips.
Come spring they be amazing and you'll be so glad you planted them.

Ooh this is a very timely post as I'm in the same position with a box of alliums and some grape hyacinth. I'll try and get them in this weekend.

I was given some daffodil bulbs last week, so I planted them at the weekend. I read a lot about gardening and it seems so long as the ground isn’t frozen then it’s fine to do anything !

I've just planted the last of mine - some alliums and anemone corms. The latter look very dry and dormant but maybe that's normal.

Eek don't worry, I'm still in the process of getting tulips in, and most of them have sprouted by now. I'm not expecting much but if even a few flower I'll be chuffed. I bought them when life was calmer and just haven't had chance to plant them until now!