Now, the Dutch growers who control the world-wide bulb market are doing the same thing on a massive scale. First they plant the bulbs in soil-filled flats or pots, then chill them to simulate winter. In the spring, the bulbs are shipped to U.S. nurseries and stored outdoors, where they sprout. So what, says Derek Fell, a Philadelphia garden-book author, and usually a garden traditionalist. Florists and commercial landscapers have had presprouted bulbs available to them for many years.
Many gardeners seem to feel the same way.
Home Depot Inc. will sell about 400,000 of the presprouts in its Northeast stores alone this year. We planted a minigarden of them last April. As promised, they bloomed after two weeks. Still, these aren't likely to be a hit with garden snobs. The varieties available are limited, and prices are steep.