Which bulb to buy? See what you get

Sunset, Oct, 1987

Photo: Daffodils

Variation in size is apparent in King Alfred-type bulbs (left). Top row shows known grades (DN means double-nose) from a high-quality wholesaler; bottom row shows the range of bulbs on the market. Undersize 15-cent bulb didn't bloom

Photo: Blooming daffodils, planted at same time, show how bulb size influences flowering and leaf production

Undersize bulb never flowered

Smallest (DN #3) produced 1 bloom

Largest (Jumbo) produced 3 blooms

Photo: Ranunculus

More leaves and flowers grew from largest, plumpest "Sunset' bulbs (actually tuberous roots). Smallest roots were often brittle and succumbed to heat faster. Roots are graded #3 (smallest), #2, #1, Jumbo.

Photo: Freesia

Plants from largest "Blue Wimpel' bulbs (corms) grew taller. Freesia bulbs are graded from smallest (1/2-inch circumference, 1 or 2 flower stalks per stem) to largest (3/4-inch circumference of more, 4 or 5 flower stalks per stem). Some varieties may develop larger flowers than others

Photo: Dutch Iris

For "Blue Ribbon' (and other large blue types), bulbs over 10 centimeters (almost 4 inches) in circumference produced stronger stems and more and larger flowers. Small bulb below produced only one small flower