An Introduction to An Introduction to BulbsBulbs

Eric StormerEric Stormer

Virginia Cooperative Virginia Cooperative ExtensionExtension

Norfolk, VirginiaNorfolk, Virginia

What is a bulb?What is a bulb?

Scalene Bulb (Lilium)

Tunicate Bulb (Tulipa)

Scalene Bulb (Scalene Bulb (LiliumLilium))

bulbils

bulblets

Tunicate BulbsTunicate Bulbs

““Generic Bulbs” – Generic Bulbs” – OtherOther GeophytesGeophytes

““GeoGeo” (of the earth) + ” (of the earth) +

““phytephyte” (a plant living in) = ” (a plant living in) = GeophyteGeophyte

CormsCorms Tubers & Tuberous RootsTubers & Tuberous Roots RhizomesRhizomes Enlarged HypocotylEnlarged Hypocotyl

CormCorm

Swollen stem base Swollen stem base modified into a modified into a mass of storage mass of storage tissuetissue

Does not possess Does not possess storage rings when storage rings when cut in halfcut in half

Crocosmia

Tubers & Tuberous RootsTubers & Tuberous Roots

Fleshy modified Fleshy modified underground stem or underground stem or rootroot

Serves to store food Serves to store food reserves for the plantreserves for the plant

Stem tubers bear Stem tubers bear buds, “eyes”buds, “eyes”

Tuberous roots Tuberous roots develop from develop from adventitious rootsadventitious roots

Tuberous roots of Dahlia

Caladium tuber, de-eyed

RhizomeRhizome

Thickened, modified Thickened, modified stem growing stem growing horizontally, horizontally, underground or just underground or just along the soil along the soil surfacesurface

Iris

Enlarged HypocotylEnlarged Hypocotyl

Begonia x tuberhybrida

Cyclamen persicum

Selecting Bulbs - Selecting Bulbs - ConsiderationsConsiderations

Size – larger plants = larger blossomsSize – larger plants = larger blossoms Condition – plump, firm, clean & healthyCondition – plump, firm, clean & healthy Utilization – bedding, naturalizing, Utilization – bedding, naturalizing,

forcingforcing Longevity – treat as annual or perennialLongevity – treat as annual or perennial Resistance – to deer, squirrels, etc.Resistance – to deer, squirrels, etc. HardinessHardiness Seasonality – spring, summer, fallSeasonality – spring, summer, fall Blossoming – Sequential or ConsecutiveBlossoming – Sequential or Consecutive Planting Time/Temperature – December Planting Time/Temperature – December

Where do hardy bulbs come from?

Tidewater

Soil PreparationSoil Preparation

Well drained soil is necessary, Well drained soil is necessary, especially for long-term survivalespecially for long-term survival

Incorporate compost, peat moss, Incorporate compost, peat moss, course sand (to improve drainage) as course sand (to improve drainage) as necessarynecessary

pH should be between 5.5 – 6.5pH should be between 5.5 – 6.5 Consider raised beds where soil Consider raised beds where soil

drainage is problematicdrainage is problematic

FertilizationFertilization

Incorporate fertilizer in soil at plantingIncorporate fertilizer in soil at planting Consider a prepared “bulb fertilizer”Consider a prepared “bulb fertilizer” Consider dried blood (2lb per 100 Consider dried blood (2lb per 100

square foot); also discourages squirrelssquare foot); also discourages squirrels Fertilize (slow release) in spring after Fertilize (slow release) in spring after

leaves emerge, but before plants leaves emerge, but before plants blossom (3 lb. of 5-10-5 per 100 square blossom (3 lb. of 5-10-5 per 100 square feet)feet)

Insects & Other PestsInsects & Other Pests

Aphids - carbaryl, permethrinAphids - carbaryl, permethrin Spider Mites - insecticidal soap, miticidesSpider Mites - insecticidal soap, miticides Narcissus bulb fly larvae - malathion Narcissus bulb fly larvae - malathion

drench, imidacloprid drenchdrench, imidacloprid drench Thrips - imidacloprid drenchThrips - imidacloprid drench Squirrels, moles & voles - ultrasonic noise, Squirrels, moles & voles - ultrasonic noise,

feeding stations, traps, chicken wire on feeding stations, traps, chicken wire on beds, incorporate sharp gravel in planting beds, incorporate sharp gravel in planting holes, whirling flowers, repellants holes, whirling flowers, repellants (capsicum, dried blood, mothballs, etc.)(capsicum, dried blood, mothballs, etc.)

MaintenanceMaintenance

Remove foliage only after it has died Remove foliage only after it has died back naturally; can be pulled from the back naturally; can be pulled from the soil without resistancesoil without resistance

Mulch to conserve moisture, insulate Mulch to conserve moisture, insulate soil (minimize temperature fluctuation) soil (minimize temperature fluctuation) and discourage weeds – but not too and discourage weeds – but not too much!much!

Consider digging and dividing crowded Consider digging and dividing crowded bulbs (daffodils, crocus) every 5 yearsbulbs (daffodils, crocus) every 5 years

NaturalizingNaturalizing

BeddingBedding

Containerized Bulb PlantingContainerized Bulb Planting

ForcingForcing

The EndQuestions?