2. Bulbs Plants with Underground Structures

3. Bulbs are plants with underground structures  Serve as storage organs  Accumulate nutrient reserves for plant survival through dormancy  Supply energy for its growth & bloom during the upcoming year

4. Five types of bulbs: True Bulbs CormsTubersRhizomes Tuberous Roots

5. True Bulbs Underground stem that contains embryonic plant inside Underground stem that contains embryonic plant inside These are surrounded by scales These are surrounded by scales  Modified leaves that overlap each other (protects embryo) A basal plate at the bottom of the bulb holds the A basal plate at the bottom of the bulb holds the scales together and produces roots Protective papery outer skin called a tunic Protective papery outer skin called a tunic Most of them produce offsets/increases Most of them produce offsets/increases  Division- separate these from the mother bulb

6. Common True Bulbs Tulip Hyacinth Daffodils

7. Corms A swollen underground stem base, it’s composed of solid tissue rather than scales A swollen underground stem base, it’s composed of solid tissue rather than scales Roots grow from a basal plate at the corm’s bottom; the growth point is at the top Roots grow from a basal plate at the corm’s bottom; the growth point is at the top

8. Corms have a tunic Corms have a tunic Formed from the dried bases of previous season’s leaves Formed from the dried bases of previous season’s leaves Each corm lasts for a single year Each corm lasts for a single year As it shrinks, a new corm, or cormel (small increases) forms on top of it As it shrinks, a new corm, or cormel (small increases) forms on top of it Division- separate healthy new corms from the old corms Division- separate healthy new corms from the old corms Cormels may take 2 to 3 years to reach flowering size Cormels may take 2 to 3 years to reach flowering size

9. Common Corms Gladiolus Crocus

10. Tubers Similar to corms, they are swollen underground stem bases, but lack the corms organization Similar to corms, they are swollen underground stem bases, but lack the corms organization There is no basal plate, so roots can grow from all sides There is no basal plate, so roots can grow from all sides

11. A tuber has multiple growth points scattered over its surface A tuber has multiple growth points scattered over its surface Each is a scale-like leaf with a growth bud (eye) Each is a scale-like leaf with a growth bud (eye) Perennial tubers (i.e.: cyclamen, begonia) increase in size each year Perennial tubers (i.e.: cyclamen, begonia) increase in size each year Annual tubers (i.e.: potato) disintegrate as new tubers grow Annual tubers (i.e.: potato) disintegrate as new tubers grow Division of either kind- cut it into sections, making sure each has one or more growing points. Division of either kind- cut it into sections, making sure each has one or more growing points.

12. Common Tubers Cyclamen Potato

13. Rhizomes A thickened stem growing horizontally A thickened stem growing horizontally partially or entirely below ground Its roots grow directly from the underside Its roots grow directly from the underside The primary growing point is at one end of the rhizome The primary growing point is at one end of the rhizome Additional growing points form along the sides Additional growing points form along the sides Division- cut into sections that have visible growing points Division- cut into sections that have visible growing points

14. Common Rhizomes Bearded Iris Bamboo

15. Tuberous Roots A true root, thickened to store nutrients A true root, thickened to store nutrients Fibrous roots for the uptake of water & nutrients develop from its sides & tip Fibrous roots for the uptake of water & nutrients develop from its sides & tip

16. Tuberous roots grow in a cluster Tuberous roots grow in a cluster  Swollen portions radiate out from a central point Growth buds are at the bases of old stems rather than on the roots themselves Growth buds are at the bases of old stems rather than on the roots themselves Division- cut the root cluster apart so each division contains both roots & part of a stem base with one or more growth buds Division- cut the root cluster apart so each division contains both roots & part of a stem base with one or more growth buds

17. Common Tuberous Roots Dahlia Day Lily

18. Where do you buy bulbs? Retail nurseries (Home Depot, Green Arrow) Mail order catalogs On-line resources

19. Buying Bulbs Dormant bulbs will notDormant bulbs will not have leaves or roots. Dormant period: the time period when plants are not actively growing (growth is slowed down – usually during winter) Dormant period: the time period when plants are not actively growing (growth is slowed down – usually during winter) Bulbs should be bought and planted during the dormant periodBulbs should be bought and planted during the dormant period

20. Selecting Bulbs  Choose plump, firm bulbs that feels heavy for their size  AVOID any that are soft, squashy, or shriveled  Bulbs are graded by size  Larger ones usually yield more flowers, and are more expensive  Planting many bulbs over a large area for bigger effect earlier (Massing) is more economical using midsize bulbs- they will build up after a year or two and be the size of a large bulb

21. Planting Bulbs  They need soil with good drainage (otherwise roots will drown and the bulb will rot)  For poor drainage soils: plant on a slope or in raised beds in raised beds  Dig an individual hole for each bulb  Prepare a complete fertilizer (10-10-10)  In most soils, true bulbs should be planted about 3 times as deep as the bulb is wide.

22. Caring for Bulbs Water them while they are actively growing Water them while they are actively growing  This period begins after planting & continues until the foliage dies back, and flowering is finished  Water deeply enough to penetrate the root zone; roots grow beneath the bulb At the beginning of growth, a high-nitrogen fertilizer needs to be applied to enhance the quality of the current season’s flowers At the beginning of growth, a high-nitrogen fertilizer needs to be applied to enhance the quality of the current season’s flowers

23. After the bloom ends it is important to leave the leaves in tact with the plant until they turn yellow & can be easily removed After the bloom ends it is important to leave the leaves in tact with the plant until they turn yellow & can be easily removed This is the time when the bulb replenishes the nutrients for the next growing season This is the time when the bulb replenishes the nutrients for the next growing season Once flowering is finished another application of a complete fertilizer is important, 10-10-10 or “bulb food” high in phosphorus and potassium Once flowering is finished another application of a complete fertilizer is important, 10-10-10 or “bulb food” high in phosphorus and potassium These two nutrients must reach the root zone to be effective These two nutrients must reach the root zone to be effective