| Are you looking for some inside information on | | | | True bulb varieties of plants are susceptible to |
| flowers? Here's an up to date report from | | | | dryness and must be handled carefully. When |
| flowers experts who should know. | | | | properly cared for, however, individual bulbs can |
| Bulbs are among the most interesting, most | | | | live for many years without being planted. |
| beautiful and easiest to grow of all flower | | | | The Corm |
| varieties. Tulip bulbs were once so prized in Holland | | | | A corm, like a true bulb, also contains a stem |
| that it led to one of the best known financial | | | | base, but the tissue of the base is solid, and it |
| bubbles in history, and even today, tulips are a | | | | lacks the scales seen in true bulbs. The roots |
| leading export from that part of the world. | | | | grow from a basal plate which is located at the |
| Even though bulbs are not quite so highly prized | | | | bottom of the corm, and the growth point is |
| today as they were in 17th century Holland, they | | | | located at the top of the corm. |
| are still loved for their scents, their colors and | | | | Popular types of corms include gladiolas and |
| their shapes, and gardeners love the fact that | | | | crocus. Each corm lasts for a single season, and |
| most bulbs are hardy and easy to grow. | | | | as the corm shrinks away after blooming, a new |
| Many of the most popular varieties of flowers are | | | | corm forms on top of it. In addition, small |
| actually grown from bulbs, including tulips, | | | | increases, called cormels, are produced around the |
| crocuses, daffodils, irises, lilies, daylilies, dahlias and | | | | base of the corm's basal plate. |
| snowdrops. | | | | The Tuber |
| One thing all bulb based plants have in common is | | | | Like corm and true bulbs, a tuber is actually an |
| that they grow from structures located under the | | | | underground stem base. Unlike corms and a true |
| ground. These underground structures provide the | | | | bulbs, however, the tuber does not contain a |
| nutrients and energy the plants need to grow. | | | | basal plate. Instead, the roots of the tuber grow |
| Even though bulb based plants are collectively | | | | from both the base and from the sides. A tuber |
| known as bulbs, there are actually five distinct | | | | will have multiple growth points spread out over |
| types of bulb plants the true bulb, the corm, the | | | | its top surface. |
| tuber, the rhizome and the tuberous root. This | | | | The Rhizome |
| article will provide examples of each type. | | | | The rhizome is actually a thickened stem that |
| The True Bulb | | | | grows either partly or completely underneath the |
| The true bulb is in reality an underground stem | | | | ground. The largest growth point on a rhizome is |
| base containing an embryonic plant. The | | | | located at one end, and additional growth points |
| embryonic plant contained within the steam base | | | | are located along the sides. The most well known |
| already contains the leaves, stems and flower | | | | rhizome is the bearded iris. |
| buds, all ready to burst forth once optimal | | | | Tuberous Roots |
| growing conditions are provided. This setup allows | | | | Unlike other types of bulbs, which are actually |
| the plant to lie dormant during adverse conditions, | | | | specially adapted stems, the tuberous root is not |
| and thus to survive droughts and other | | | | a true root. Instead, fibrous roots designed to |
| environmental challenges. | | | | absorb nutrients and water grow from the sides |
| If your flowers facts are out-of-date, how will | | | | and the tip of the tuberous root. Most tuberous |
| that affect your actions and decisions? Make | | | | roots grow in a cluster, and swollen tuberous |
| certain you don't let important flowers information | | | | parts radiate out from a centralized point. The |
| slip by you. | | | | growth points of a tuberous root are found on |
| The embryonic plant contained within the stem | | | | the bases of the old stems and not on the roots |
| base is surrounded by scales (modified leaves that | | | | themselves. Dahlias and daylilies are the best |
| overlap in a manner reminiscent of reptile or fish | | | | known examples of tuberous roots. |
| scales). At the bottom of the bulb is a basal plate; | | | | That's how things stand right now. Keep in mind |
| this basal plate holds the scales together and | | | | that any subject can change over time, so be |
| produces the roots of the plant. | | | | sure you keep up with the latest news. |
| Examples of true bulbs are such popular flower | | | | B. Keith Johnson is a contributing author for |
| varieties as daffodils, tulips and lilies. | | | | Flower Gardens. |