Bulbous Flowers. Succulents - 150 Species (Landscape Plants Practical Illustrated Guide - Issue 5)

Author: Xue Congxian (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-06-01
Features: Bulbous flowers are a type of perennial herbaceous flower with particularly roots and stems, forming bulbous or spherical shapes to store nutrients for germination and blooming. They are called "bulbous flowers." Depending on the shape and location of the parts, they can be classified into bulbs (e.g., lilies, amaryllis, narcissus, lily of the valley), corms (e.g., gladioli, saffron, freesia), tubers (e.g., gloxinia, caladium, phalaenopsis), root tubers (e.g., dahlia, orchids), and rhizomes (e.g., cannas, ginger).
Bulbous flowers can be divided into temperate or tropical varieties based on their native growing regions. Temperate varieties prefer cool climates (e.g., tulips, hyacinths, narcissus), and in southern China, it is difficult to cultivate blooming bulbs. Each year, bulbs are imported from other regions and grown for a short period before blooming. Tropical varieties (e.g., frangipani, lily of the valley, cannas) grow well year-round in southern China.
All bulbous flowers share a common long-term drought-resistant habit—dormancy. The duration of dormancy varies by variety, lasting about 30 to 90 days. During dormancy, stems and leaves wither and die, storing nutrients in the underground bulbs. However, some varieties only halt growth during dormancy without significant wilting (e.g., amaryllis, daylilies, freesia). In cultivation, low-temperature cold storage is often used to break dormancy and promote uniform blooming.
Succulents are plants with thick, fleshy, and drought-tolerant stems and leaves. Most succulents are native to arid desert regions. To adapt to harsh environments, their leaves gradually or become thick and water-storing, making them highly drought-resistant. When cultivating succulents, it is essential to maintain a dry state and avoid frequent watering.