Precooling

• 1). Place your Oriental lily bulbs in the netted sack; an onion or potato sack is suitable. Precooling is only for bulbs previously kept at higher temperatures, such as bulbs you have just purchased; this should be done around eight weeks before you plan to plant the bulbs. Precooling is not necessary for bulbs that have been in storage at or below the precooling temperature.
  
  
• 2). Transfer your sack of bulbs to a cool, dark area that maintains a temperature below 40 degrees F. If the bulbs are prematurely exposed to higher heats they will begin to germinate.
  
  
• 3). Plant your bulbs in the garden after the eight-week cooling period has elapsed. After the plants have bloomed and withered (usually in fall) you can dig up and store the bulbs over winter, ready for next year's planting.
  
  

Storing

• 1). Fill the plastic container half way with moist peat, then place your bulbs on top and cover with peat. Put on the lid. Bulbs that have been stored do not need precooling before planting, as storage is essentially a cooler, longer form of precooling.
  
  
• 2). Transfer the container to a cool, dark area that maintains a temperature below 35 degrees F.
  
  
• 3). Store the bulbs in this temperature until you want to plant them. Do not expose them to higher temperatures, as this will stimulate germination.