How to Tell the Top of Flower Bulb from the Bottom (2024)

FAQs

Which end of a flower bulb goes up? ›

Set the bulb in the hole with the pointy side up and the roots down. It's easy to spot the pointy end of a tulip, and tougher with a crocus. If you can't figure out the top from the bottom, plant the bulb on its side. In most cases, even if you don't get it right, the flower will still find its way topside.

Which Bulb End is Up? One of the most frequently asked questions about planting bulbs is, "Which end goes up?" Most true bulbs, such as Tulips and Daffodils, have pointed tips which should point upward. Corms, tubers and rhizomes usually show sprouts on their upper sides, and these should be on top when planted.

Which way up should bulbs be planted? Always plant bulbs with the pointed growing tip facing upwards. If it isn't clear which is the top, then try planting bulbs on their side. Some tuberous plants such as begonias will be flatter than bulbs and don't have an obvious growing point.

Identifying the size of a light bulb is simple. The letters in a bulb code indicate its shape and special features such as reflector type. The numbers of the bulb indicate its base size, which is based on its diameter at its widest point, measured in eighths of an inch (⅛”).

And if left in the ground, it looks like it would have righted itself — notice how the new stems are even beginning to turn the bulb over? While it's not the best way to plant, setting a bulb upside down won't prevent it from blooming.

Plant the bulb with its tip pointing upwards and roots pointing down. This may seem obvious but it's not always easy to tell which end of a bulb is which. If you can't tell the tip from the roots then plant the bulb on its side and it will find its own way.

We recommend soaking for at least two minutes, but don't worry if a customer calls and you have to walk away for few minutes while the bulbs soak. Other bulbs may vary. Freesias generally require a longer time (60 minutes) because of the outside tunic.

It's best to place shorter bulbs such as hyacinths toward the front of the bed and taller ones like tulips toward the middle and the back. Note that there can be significant variation in the heights of different tulips, daffodils or other bulbs so it's always important to read the packaging!

Bulbs are identified with a letter to indicate the shape or type, and with a number to indicate the approximate diameter in eighths of an inch.

Many bulbs are easy to tell which way is up. The pointed side goes up and the roots go down. You can see here in this Muscari clearly where the roots are and the “point” that needs to go upwards! Some bulbs are a little trickier though, such as anemone corms.

Which end is the top of a bulb? ›

One of the most frequently asked questions about planting bulbs is, “Which end goes up?” Most true bulbs, such as Tulips and Daffodils, have pointed tips which should point upward. Corms, tubers and rhizomes like lilies usually show sprouts on their upper sides, and these should be on top when planted.

Tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are easy since they are planted 6 to 8 inches deep with the pointed end facing up and the flat end down. But many like tuberous begonias, crocus and cannas do not have a distinct top and bottom. Fortunately, even bulbs planted upside down will find their way to the surface.

Light Bulb Structure

At the base, they have two metal contacts, which connect to the ends of an electrical circuit. The metal contacts are attached to two stiff wires, which are attached to a thin metal filament. The filament sits in the middle of the bulb, held up by a glass mount.

Light bulb base measurements will be labelled using a code similar to the one used for the bulb. For example, a standard light bulb base is an E27, which means that the base is an Edison screw base that measures 27mm. Screw and bayonet bases are measured right across the bottom.

The cap or base of a light bulb joins the bulb to the lamp socket in order to provide an electrical connection.

A filament is the part of an electric bulb that glows. The filament is made of a tungsten. It is a thin spring like wire attached to the two metal wires inside the glass bulb as shown below.