The seed should always remain on or above the surface. Some seeds will only produce a tiny bulb in the first year, which then goes dormant; others will grow continuously for a couple of years. If the seeds keep growing, do not force them into dormancy.

How are bulbs formed?

A bulb is created when a plant sends its energy and nutrients below ground at the end of the growing season, like charging a battery. It stores them over winter while the plant is naturally dormant. The following year, the energy in the bulb is ready and waiting for the plant to regrow and flower again.

How long does it take to grow bulbs from seed?

Germination can anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 years depending on the species, and you might have to wait for up to 7 years for your first flower, but don’t let that discourage you. The effort made in growing flowering bulbs from seed is worth it for any unusual or hard to acquire species.