Changes in the Carbohydrates of Tulip Bulbs During Development1

The starch content of the bulb scales and the ethanol-soluble sugars of the bulblets and bulb scales of Tulipa gesneriana L. cv. Preludium declined with development. In contrast, the starch content of the bulblets increased rapidly. Calculations indicated that the total soluble sugars initially in the bulb scales could account for all the soluble sugars in the bulblets at harvest. However, the initial starch content of the bulb scales could account for only 17% of the starch present in the matured bulblets. It was surmised that the remaining 83% of the starch in the matured bulblets was derived from photosynthesis.