How do tulips primarily develop each spring?

Tulips primarily develop each spring from bulbs. Bulbs are specialized underground storage organs that contain the plant's embryonic tissues and vital nutrients, allowing the tulip to survive during unfavorable conditions, such as winter. When spring arrives, the bulbs absorb moisture and begin to sprout, producing foliage and flowers. This process is efficient for tulips, as it allows them to utilize stored energy to produce new growth quickly.

Seeds, while a method of plant propagation for many species, are not the primary way tulips reproduce, as they take longer to mature and require more specific conditions to germinate. Cuttings are also not applicable for tulips because they do not root well from stem cuttings. Rhizomes, which are horizontal underground stems, are characteristic of different plant species, such as ginger and grasses, but tulips do not grow from them. Thus, bulbs are the key structure for the seasonal development of tulips.