Spring Fever
Though the Northwestern temperature can't make up its mind, the early spring blossoms are bursting and have inspired me to learn more about the life cycle of the bulb plants that brighten the city each spring.
Bulbs are underground self-feeding factories. Most bulbs are perennials and they can be categorized into several groups, including true bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and tubers and tuberous roots. Bulbs and corms are the two main varieties that we see in the early springtime so pictures of the rhizomes, tubers and tuberous roots will have to wait until mid-spring!
True Bulbs
True bulbs have several fleshy layers of nutrient storage surrounding the developing flower bud and leaves, covered in a tunic or papery top layer for added protection. Examples of true bulbs include daffodils, tulipis, hyacinths and grape hyacinths.
Corms
Corms are solid swollen stems with the bud on top which produces the flowers and leaves (rather than in the center of layers like the true bulbs). They also are covered in a thin protective tunic. Crocuses are the most commons corms of early spring.
Rhizomes
Rhizomes grow horizontally underground, with roots shooting off the bottom of a central pipe, and flowers and stems blooming off the top. Fragrant lily-of-the-valley is a famous rhizome plant.
Tubers
Tubers are built in a similar manner to true bulbs and corms but they lack a tunic and have several eyes from which the flowers and leaves can develop. Unlike the corm, which roots from the bottom, tubers can produce roots on its top and sides. Common tubers include the potato and caladiums.
Tuberous Roots
Tuberous roots are unique bulbs in that their roots are used to store nutrients, rather than in the swollen tissue itself. Dahlia's are the summer's most famous tuberous roots.
Care
Seek out large and healthy bulbs. Bulbs are sun-loving but since they come up before the deciduous trees grow leaves, they can be grown in many places. Bulbs are best planted in clumps--they look great together and are difficult to force into a specific pattern. They are generally planted in the fall (so don't be misled by displays that are selling bulbs this time of year--unless you want to get a head start on your fall garden planning).
Plant bulbs in well-draining soil that has been aerated and amended with compost. An application of phosphorous will aid in the root development of the bulb. The soil quality at the time of planting will determine how well the bulbs do. In general, plant bulbs at a depth 3 times the diameter of the bulb.
Rodents and birds love finding bulbs so remedies for bulb protection should be considered. Mesh wire sheet placed over the bulbs will allow the foliage to grow but keep the critters out. Also, crushed oyster shells deter pests when applied around the bulbs and on top of the soil. The oyster shells have the added benefit of providing nutrients to the soil.
If your garden is a bit crowded, it's a good idea to mark the planting area to avoid digging up the bulbs throughout the year. Once planted, bulbs will return year after year (even if you've forgotten about them!) and they will brighten the spring season, with varieties blooming from February through June.
While on the subject of spring fever in Seattle, the Cherry Blossom can't go unmentioned. Cherry Blossoms are Japanese by origin and produce small white and pink flowers before growing leaves in late spring. The big blooming season for these bright flowering trees is still a few weeks away but their early pink petals (especially found in bulk on the UW quad) are a sign that the winter rains are coming to an end!
Resources
The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers
Flora's Gardening Cards, chief consultant: Tony Rodd
Rodale's Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening
No comments:
Post a Comment