Cut flowers produced from summer-flowering bulbous plants are generally sold only during the summer because it is difficult to “mislead” the bulbs by shifting the seasons artificially. Spring-flowering bulbous plants such as tulips, hyacinths and narcissi develop leaves and flowers after a cold (winter) period due to a chemical process that takes place in these bulbs. Since summer-flowering bulbs do not go through this process, they cannot be “tricked” into flowering by subjecting them to cold or warm periods. The flowering of these bulbs depends on many other factors such as the local temperature, daylight hours, and the condition and temperature of the soil.

Why are cut flowers produced from summer bulbs only sold during the summer months?



