What is a bulb? Most people refer to plants that have an underground storage structure as a bulb, but only some of the plants we commonly call bulbs are actually bulbs. A “bulb” is any plant that stores its complete life cycle in an underground storage structure. The underground storage structures store food and nutrients to ensure the plants’ survival through the winter or droughts. The word “bulb” commonly refers to true bulbs or bulb like structures such as corms, tubers, tuberous roots and stems, and rhizomes. Some bulbs are perennials meaning they will bloom year after year, while other bulbs are annuals, meaning they will bloom for only one season.
Depending on the species, spring bulbs tend to flower between late winter and early summer. After flowering, they continue to grow and store food before they die back and become dormant throughout the summer and fall. Spring flowering bulbs begin to grow roots again in the fall and winter.
Bulbs can be planted in flower beds, lawns, around trees, or in containers. Spring flowering bulbs grow best in full sun or part shade. Planting early flowering bulbs under deciduous trees is okay because the bulbs will be dormant by the time the trees are providing heavy shade. Bulbs also like a good drained soil and a soil pH of 6 to 7. You will need to follow the recommendations of your soil test to determine the amount and type of fertilizer you should apply.
September through October is the time to purchase bulbs while supplies are good, but wait to plant until cooler weather. Bulbs can be stored in a cool area below 60°F until it is time to plant. Most bulbs need a 12- to 16-week chilling period for the bulb to produce flowers. It is okay to refrigerate bulbs in a ventilated package to ensure the bulbs have the correct chilling period.
Most bulbs can be planted three to four times as deep as the width of the bulb. Small bulbs should be planted one to two inches apart and large bulbs should be three to six inches apart. Once planted, cover the area with two to three inches of mulch. Mulch will help prevent mud from splashing on the flowers, insulate the soil, and help maintain soil moisture.
To prevent seed formation in tulips and daffodils, remove the flowers after they fade. Leaving the leaves on the plant after they flower will allow the plant to build up energy for next year’s bloom. Overcrowding can be a big problem for bulbs. Divide bulbs after the foliage has turned yellow and withered. Divided bulbs can be replanted right away or stored in a cool, dry area for replanting in the fall.
For problems with bulbs or for more information about specific bulbs, please visit the Home and Garden Information Center at hgic.clemson.edu. Make sure you tune in to “Making It Grow” on Tuesday night at 7pm on SCETV. Email Callen Outen at callenb@clemson.edu.
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