How to Buy Healthy Flower Bulbs

Growing flowers from bulbs is relatively easy; however success begins with selecting healthy bulbs. This How-To will teach you how to recognize a healthy bulb.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• flower bulbs
• touch and sight

1. 

   Know your Flowers.
   A variety of flowers begin as bulbs or "tubers", such as allium, amaryllis, anemones, begonias, bluebells, crocus, daffodils, dahlias, gladioli, hyacinths, iris, lilies, paper whites, peonies, tulips, to name only a few. Each of these flower types result in many different colored and sized flowers, so the flowers' bulbs will also vary in size, shape and color. For example, grape hyacinth bulbs are typically no larger than a plump blackberry, whereas a daffodil bulb is commonly the size of a plum. the variance results in completely different blossoms.

2. 

   It's In The Bag...Maybe.
   Flower bulbs are often purchased either in prepackaged groups or singularly. More common garden bulbs, such as daffodils, tulips and crocus are all typically purchased as prepackaged baggies. These flower bulbs are commonly employed when attempting to "naturalize" them to an area of one's garden. When a person attempts to naturalize a flower type in their garden, the person is intending for the bulb to multiply over many years so that the eventual effect appears to be that the flower is indigenous, or natural, to the garden. Tulips aren't typically planted sparingly, rather they are commonly clustered in multitudes so that when they bloom, the impact is most striking to the eye.
   Reciprocally, some flowers bulbs create powerful impacts when grown solely by themselves, such as the amaryllis. Not only does the amaryllis bloom in a variety of striking colors, but the size of the plant and its blooms are enormous when compared to their more demure "sister" plants, the daffodils. Amaryllis plants typically grow to around two feet in height. Their bulbs are therefore very large in comparison to other bulbs, and are commonly sold singularly.

3. 
   The roots in this picture are perfect.

   Deeply Rooted.
   Almost all bulbs have a base, which you may decipher from the roots. The bulb's roots either appear as strings, hair, or even worms, depending on the size of the bulb; and, should only appear in one section of the bulb (the base). Roots should **not** be moist or moldy.

4. 

   A Body Wave.
   Not all bulbs appear in the same shape. Whereas flowers from the narcissus family (amaryllis, daffodils, paper whites, etc.) are formed in a tear drop shape; others, such as bluebells, dahlias and iris are either spherical, tubular or cylindrical in shape. Regardless of size and shape, ALL healthy bulbs will be dry and almost flaky to the touch. They should **not** feel mushy, fuzzy, hollowed out, or brittle. Further, a healthy bulb of ANY species will not be cracked or "broken" in appearance in any way.

Tips & Warnings

• If purchasing bulbs online through bulb distributors, read the distributor's warranty and/or guarantee prior to placing your order. Many reputable bulb companies stand behind their products by offering a money-back guarantee OR free replacements. In fact, to take advantage of these guarantees, consumers need only call the customer service department, and NO DEAD BULBS need be returned! I highly recommend investigating a company's guarantee prior to placing orders, as it will ensure you will truly get your money's worth IF you order from such distributors.

[starlet67]

on 3/18/2009 Great guidelines for selecting the healthiest bulbs for your flower garden or home!5*