To get the bulbs you need the right fennel. Florence Fennel, to be precise.

Foeniculum vulgare is the common fennel. Florence Fennel is F. vulgare azoricum.

Common fennel will form bulbs if you're lucky, but NOT in a teensy-weensy pot.

The fennel has been in the ground three years,I just bought it in a small pot. I suspected it may have been a bad variety,because it seems totally healthy, just not forming any bulbs. If I don't get bulbs by this fall, I'll be yanking it all out.

If it is bronze fennel, it is a handsome plant in its own right, and the feathery leaves are an excellent culinary herb, just like sweet fennel. Similar in flavor to dill, good for fish, grilling, etc. It does not reliably come back for me, although I am trying some again this year against the barn. Wish I had your success.

narcnh

You most likely bought the "herb" fennel it isnÂt the same as the "vegetable" fennel, the herb fennel doesn't make an edible root. Herb fennel has a very long tap root and is hard to get rid of, but I love to eat the new shoots they taste like licorice.

Yes,I do belive it's bronze fennel. I think that was the name on the tag, and I definitely found it in the herbs section of a local nursery. I have cut fronds, then laid them over salmon, along with butter and lemon, and then baked the fish. It gives off a wonderful smell and delicate taste. I will check around for vegetable or Florence fennel varities. I might even grow from seeds!