What is a bulb?
A flower bulb is actually an underground storehouse and flower factory. Inside the bulb, everything is there for the plant to come out at the right time. You can clearly see this when you cut a bulb in half. At the heart of the bulb, the flower sits centrally like a baby in its mother's womb. This bud already has the appearance of a flower when it is still inside the bulb. Around the germ is a fleshy white substance called the skirts. In a real bulb, it is these skirts that have stored all the food for the bulb to grow and flower.
What is the difference between bulbs, tubers and rhizomes?
Technically speaking, many popular flower bulbs are not true bulbs. Crocuses and gladioli, for example, are actually tubers, while the large well-known dahlia is actually a rhizome. The difference between bulbs and tubers is small, and they are very similar. The big difference is the method of food storage.Spring-flowering bulbs are hardy; summer-flowering bulbous plants like warm temperatures. Flower bulbs can be divided into mainly 2 groups:Spring-flowering (these are planted in autumn)Summer-flowering (which are planted in spring)A more precise grouping, divides flower bulbs into bulbs, tubers and rhizomes. Generally, spring-flowering bulbs are hardy. These bulbs, such as Tulip, Hyacinth and Narcissus, are planted in autumn, before the first frost, and need the winter months to convert starch into sugar. Many spring-flowering bulbs, such as Daffodils, survive well and can stay in the ground to flower year after year. Most summer-flowering bulbs are not hardy. These bulbs cannot survive harsh winter conditions and must be planted in the spring after the last frost. To enjoy these bulbs year after year, they have to be dug up in autumn and stored inside for the winter. One exception is the lily. Many summer-flowering lilies are hardy and can be planted in spring or autumn. Bulbs are the most popular and beloved flowers in the world. Spring-flowering ones such as tulips, crocuses, hyacinths, daffodils and blue grapes are universal symbols of spring. Their lush and colourful flowers are the first thing to come alive from the winter landscape. Summer-flowering bulbs such as dahlias, begonias and anemones bring variety, special colours and long flowering times to summer gardens. With good plant care and planning, flower bulbs can brighten up gardens from early spring to late autumn.
Bron: IBC