DIFFERENCES IN BULBS

To have a better understanding of how to plant, care and garden for bulbs, it is good to know that not all bulb plants are the same.  Bulbs - and cousins -  Tubers, Rhizomes and Corms, are like hidden treasure buried for many months before they unveil their beauty in your garden. They are considered Herbaceous plants (die back annually) and contain underground organs that have all the botanical elements needed to grow, regrow and propagate with very little help from us. Here are the differences:

Naked Ladies (Belladonnas)

BULBS are little pre-packaged plants that contain leaves, flowers, stems, food and all elements inside itself. Many bulbs grow increasingly larger every year or produce off-shoots. Good examples are Naked Ladies (Amaryllis Belladonnas - see left), Lilly of the Nile, Tulips, Daffodils, Onion, Garlic, etc.

Lavender-Blue Bearded Iris

TUBERS have a thickened stem and grows sprouts from "eyes". The old tuber is used as stored food for the plant to draw from while new tuber shoots propagate itself. Good examples are Potato, Radish, Dahlias and Tuberous Begonia.

Purple-Variegated Gladiolas

RHIZOMES are thickened stems but with gnarled finger-like roots. Most Rhizomes, such as the Bearded Iris, like to grow flat along the ground with roots barely covered by good soil and their tops exposed to sunlight. Like tubers, rhizomes have "eyes" that help it propagate easily. More good examples are Ranunculas, Cannas, Alstomerias, etc.

CORMS is a modified stem and like bulbs, provides all the energy needed to grow and flower. New corms grow along side of "Mother" corm into little cormels, then they grow, mature and become a successful off-shoot flower. Gladiolas, Crocus and Banana are great examples.

In many areas across the USA, now is the time to plant bulbs for next spring before the frost hits. If residing in sunnier areas, late October is best. Don't forget to decorate around your new bulbs with garden stakes and other garden art. Source: California Bountiful Magazine