The stems are then cut off, leaving a couple of inches or so. As they are lifted to carry into a protected place they are turned to allow any water which may still be trapped in the hollow stems to escape. It is important at this time to ensure the bed label is transferred to that batch of tubers ,as, if lost or mislaid, the tubers will be impossible to identify until they begin to sprout again in the spring. Even then it is very difficult to identify different varieties by the foliage.