bulbs
The first plants to bloom in the spring, one of the last plants to bloom in the summer, and everything in between, come from what gardeners commonly call bulbs. Many bulbous plants are commonly referred to as bulbs. Lilies and hyacinths are true bulbs, but there are several other classifications of bulbous plants.
Bulbs
A true bulb, such as a lily, is a short underground stem surrounded by thick leaves that protect the plant and store food for use by the emerging plant. New bulbs, or bulblets, are formed at the base of mature bulbs after flowering is complete. Mature bulbs then become dormant until the next season. Flowering alliums, which are members of the onion family, tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, are also bulbs.
Corms
Corms are thick underground stems covered by protective leaves. These stems produce stems, leaves and flowers during one season. Individual corms last only one season, but new corms, or cormels, are formed on top of the old corms as they complete their growth cycle. These can be collected and stored for future planting. Gladiolas and crocuses are corms.
Tuber and tuberous roots
A tuber is like a corm, but can last for many years. Tubers can be divided by removing a section containing a bud, as would appear on a potato. Tuberous begonias are, of course, tubers. Tuberous roots are similar to tubers, but instead of a single stem, like a tuber, these are clusters of roots. Tuberous roots can be divided by removing a root section containing a bud and replanting. Dahlias are a good example of a tuberous root.
Rhizomes
Rhizomes grow at or below the soil’s surface. These stems increase in length, with new growth appearing along the length of the stem. Rhizomes can be divided by cutting off sections of the stem that contain growing buds and replanting. Irises are well-known rhizomes.
Planting
Make sure that the area to be planted is well drained. Bulbous stems and roots that are kept too moist tend to rot. Bulbous plants will do well in almost any part of the yard and are not restricted to flower beds. They can also be successfully planted in lawns or in some cases under trees.
Plant bulbous stems and roots according to the planting directions provided with the plant or at a depth three times the maximum diameter of the stem or root. This can be done using a garden trowel or a bulb planter, which removes plugs of soil for easier planting. Sprinkle about a teaspoon of bone meal into the bottom of the hole and coat the stem and/or root with bulb dust to prevent fungus and place in hole. Fill in hole and water in well. Irises are planted with the top of the rhizome at ground level.
Bulbs can be arranged in groups or naturalized, which means scattering the bulbous stems and roots randomly on the ground and planting them where they land.
Maintenance
Very little needs to be done to maintain bulbous plants during the growing season. However, the spent blooms should be deadheaded. This is done so that the plants do not waste valuable energy they will need during their dormancy, in order to survive, by going to seed. Tender bulbous plants can be mulched or, in the case of summer bulbous plants, brought indoors and stored for the winter.
Count on the crocus
for sensational early spring color
Storage
After the first light frost, cut off the tops of your summer flowering bulbous plants. The stems or roots should be dug up and laid out in the sun or a warm place indoors for an afternoon to dry out. Store in a cool, dark place, about 5C, in a paper bag or box filled with vermiculite. These bulbous plants can be removed from storage and replanted in the spring. Firm bulbs can be replanted but soft or dry bulbs should not be replanted.
Division
If the flower quality and quantity drops in your bulbous plants, this may be a sign of overcrowding, and they may need dividing. Some may have simply outgrown the place they are in or other plants may be encroaching on their area. Many bulbous plants form clumps of stems. These stems are actually individual plants with their own root systems. Some plants cannot be divided since they grow from one central stalk. Spring blooming plants should be divided in early fall. When all the leaves have fallen, gently dig up the plant and separate the roots of the individual clumps to be removed. Replant the removed plants in an appropriate place in the garden. Summer flowering perennials should be divided in the same way in the spring, as soon as they are showing growth.
Forcing
Hardy bulbous plants that grow outdoors can be forced to bloom in the winter. Plant the bulbous stem or root in a well-drained pot. Plant the stem or root so that half is buried in potting soil with the other half exposed, water well. Store the plant in a cool, 5 C, dark place for 8-12 weeks. This will give the plant the dormancy it needs to begin the flowering process out of season. After the dormant period, remove the plants from storage and place in a sunny location.