Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
What Is the Shelf Life of Flower Bulbs?
What Is the Shelf Life of Flower Bulbs?. Flower bulbs are offered in every store across America. From the home improvement stores to the grocer, the gardener can pick up several different varieties of flower bulbs throughout the year. Shoppers need to understand the bulb does not last forever. Unless the flower bulb was properly stored, it could be...
Flower bulbs are offered in every store across America. From the home improvement stores to the grocer, the gardener can pick up several different varieties of flower bulbs throughout the year. Shoppers need to understand the bulb does not last forever. Unless the flower bulb was properly stored, it could be a waste of money buying them.
Function
Flower bulbs need to be dug up after the foliage of the plant has turned brown and died back. The plant needs to be able to gather nutrients from the leaves after blooming. These nutrients are stored in the bulb for the next growing season.
Effects
The flower bulbs must have been stored in a cool, dark place. Moisture and heat can cause a flower bulb to rot. The rotted bulb will not bloom.
Features
A plump, fleshy flower bulb is generally a healthy bulb. This means the flesh is moist and ready to produce. If the bulb crackles when squeezed, it is most likely dead.
Considerations
Most flower companies have a date printed on the packages of bulbs and seeds. The dates are important indicators of how fresh the item is and when it was packaged. Outdated bulbs may or may not bloom.
Misconceptions
The idea that a flower bulb is perfectly good for years is not true. Unless stored properly, the bulb is only good for about 12 months.
Benefits
Many bulbs can be started indoors in pots. This is one way to keep flower bulbs fresh if time is running out for planting.
