When it comes to bulbs (like so much in life), you really reap what you sow. If you pick subpar bulbs, you’ll get a subpar display. But if you choose carefully and pick only healthy bulbs, watch out – the flower power will amaze you!
Healthy bulbs give you gorgeous displays, so choose carefully to get the most bang for your buck!
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Cuts, gouges and bruises (like on the bulb on the left) can lead to decay after planting. Stick with the undamaged bulbs for the best planting results.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/Robert Dolezal
Bulbs that have superficial splits in their onionskin-like coverings (like this one) are acceptable to buy and plant.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/Robert Dolezal
Avoid any bulbs with signs of decay or mildew (like the bulb on the left), as well as ones that look shriveled and dry. Instead, opt for robust bulbs that look and feel heavy for their size.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/Robert Dolezal
Let’s face it: Bulbs aren’t the prettiest to start out with – so how can you tell which are the “best” for your garden? Believe it or not, there are some key features to clue you into which bulbs are better than others:
Size
Yes, when it comes to bulbs, bigger is better. That’s because larger bulbs simply have more volume to store nutrients and moisture. They’re also able to weather storage and handling better than smaller ones. And here’s a bonus: Sometimes big bulbs produce multiple blooms!
Firmness
Solid bulbs that feel heavy for their size perform best. These bulbs are generally free of fungal disease and excessive drying. (Of course, some tuberous roots and rhizomes naturally appear dry and withered, so don’t hold that against them.)
Dormancy
Bulbs that are dormant won’t have any sprouts, so its early growth will focus on establishing strong roots – and that’s good. If your bulbs have green sprouts, plant them immediately.
Freshness
Buy bulbs when they first appear in your garden retailer, storing them under ideal conditions if necessary until planting time arrives. (That means keeping them in breathable bags – don’t shut them up in a zip-tight one.) Garden centers and nurseries usually stock spring-blooming bulbs in fall, and they sell summer-, autumn- and winter-blooming bulbs in spring, allowing you to plant when the time is right for your area. If you miss them at your garden center, take advantage of direct merchants, including specialty bulb retailers that have unusual hybrids and cultivars rarely available in local, general-gardening outlets. Pass by pre-bagged assorted varieties, and choose the best individual bulbs available.
Once you get your bulbs home, all that’s left is to plant them right, water them in and wait for the show to begin!
