Bulbs

1. Bulbs Wyandotte County Kansas State Research & Extension

2. Bulbs Bulbis any plant that stores its complete life cycle in an underground storage structure. Types of Storage Structures • True bulb • Corms • Tubers • Tuberous roots • Rhizomes

3. True Bulb 5 major parts

4. True Bulb Tunicate bulbs (paper-like sheath) • Tulips • Daffodils • Hyacinths • Alliums

5. True Bulb Imbricate bulbs (no papery sheath) Lily

6. Corms • A swollen stem base that is modified into a mass of storage tissue. • Does not have visible storage rings when cut in half • Gladiolus and crocus

7. Tubers • Buds are scattered over the tuber surface form which shoots and roots develop. • Caladiums, oxalis, anemones, potato

8. Tuberous Roots • Nutrient reserves are stored in an actual root instead of an enlarged stem. • Dahlia and tuberous begonia

9. Rhizomes • Iris, Lily-of-the-valley, Cannas • Grow horizontally under the soil surface.

10. Fleshy Roots • Not bulbs • Peonies and daylilies

11. Bulb Selection Size • Larger bulbs produce larger blooms • Smaller bulbs are good for naturalizing Firmness • Select bulbs that are firm and free from soft or rotting spots; disease free

12. Bulb Selection Spring Flowering Bulbs • Daffodils, Tulips, Crocus, Hyacinths, Oriental Lilies, Alliums, etc. • Plant in late September through November Summer Flowering Bulbs • Hybrid Lilies, Dahlias, Gladiolus, Calla Lilies, Caladiums, Cannas • Plant in the spring after danger of frost is past.

13. Preparing the Soil • Soil drainage and aeration are essential • Add compost, peat moss or some source of organic matter • Work the organic matter into the top 12 to 18 inches of soil • pH between 6.0 and 7.0

14. Fertilization * Incorporate fertilizer when preparing the soil in the fall: - 3 lbs of a complete fertilizer (i.e. 5-10-5) per 100 sq. ft. (1.5 tsp per sq. ft.) or - 2 lbs of blood meal per 100 sq. ft (1 tsp per sq. ft.) * Spring fertilization after the leaves appear, but before the bulb blooms

15. Planting Bulbs

16. Planting Bulbs Rules of thumb • The pointed end goes up • Planting depth is the distance from the bottom of the bulb to the soil surface • Size of the bulb often dictates the depth; the larger the bulb the deeper the depth • Remove air pockets around the bulb (proper watering – deep watering)

19. Maintenance • Foliage should not be removed until it turns yellow & dies back naturally. - interplant the bulbs with annuals or perennials • Mulch the bulbs to minimize temperature fluctuations and conserve moisture. • Dig and divide crowded bulbs to increase flower size. - daffodils & crocus should be divided every 5 yrs

20. Digging & Storing Bulbs Cannas, Gladiolas, Dahlias, Begonias • Dig when leaves turn yellow • Use a spading fork to lift the bulbs from the ground • Leave the soil on the bulbs • Store in clumps on slightly moistened layer of peat moss or sawdust. • Place in a cool, dry basement, cellar, or garage at 60 to 65 degrees • Watch for decay and discard those bulbs

21. Early Spring Flowering Bulbs • Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) • Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) • Danford Iris (Iris danfordieae) • Crocus (Crocus spp) • Glory-of-the-Snow (Chionodoxa luciliae) • Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica) • Striped Squill (Puschkinia scilloides) • Grecian Windflower (Anemone blanda) • Common Grape Hyacinth (Muscari botryoides) • Early Daffodils (Narcissus spp.) • Netted Iris (Iris reticulata)

22. Mid-spring Flowering Bulbs • Checkered Lily (Fritillaria meleagris) • Tulips (Tulipa spp) • Early Alliums (Allium spp) • Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis) • Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) • Medium-cupped Daffodils (Narcissus spp)

23. Late Spring Flowering Bulbs • Dutch Hybrid Iris (Iris hybrids) • Midseason & Late Tulips (Tulipa spp) • Late Daffodils (Narcissus spp) • Alliums (Allium spp)

24. Thank you!