Amateur Gardening

Propagating bulbs and corms

BULBS (such as daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and lilies) and corms (crocuses and gladioli) are very easily increased by vegetative means. A bulb is composed of ‘scales’, which are modified swollen leaves that hold food and water to sustain the bulb until new roots are produced following planting. Roots are produced at the base of the bulb from a plant-like structure, which is in fact modified stem.

If you cut open a bulb you will find an embryo flower inside the scales. The new leaves are also produced from the centre. A corm, on the other hand, is a compact swollen stem that also acts as a food-storage organ. Again, flowers and leaves arise from the centre and roots are produced at the base after planting.

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