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Bulb flower production: what does this cover?

 
Bulb flower production involves the production of flowers by a floriculturist. Actually, the term “bulbs” also includes corms, tubers, rootstocks and rhizomes. Another commonly used phrase is “the forcing of flower bulbs”. Unfortunately, however, this phrase is not always applied correctly; after all, forcing is merely getting bulbs to come into flower earlier – before their natural flowering period outside. But besides getting bulbs to flower earlier than their natural flowering period, the process can also be carried out later. Good examples of forcing are the 5° and 9˚C tulips that are forced during the winter (whilst any tulip bulbs outside will not flower until spring) and what are known as “ice tulips” that are not brought into flower until the next autumn!
 

Many bulbous plants enter a dormant period after their growth period. To get them to flower earlier than they would under natural conditions, they will have to be subjected to artificial cold and warm periods to break this dormancy. If these periods are cut short or skipped altogether, flowering results will be disappointing or the greenhouse period will have to be greatly extended (the extent of these negative consequences depending on the type of bulbous plant). For certain production methods and their related procedures, the temperature treatment needed to break dormancy will be carried out by the flower bulb supplier in the Netherlands. In other cases, the floriculturist will do this.

The production methods used for the most familiar bulbous plants are presented here. For additional information, we refer you to your supplier.

Download the PDF file about Cut Flowers

Download the PDF file about Post Harvest Treatment

Download the PDF file about Rooting Rooms