Are daylily bulbs and daylily fans the same thing? All the daylilies I have seen grow a fan out of a tuber or root, not a real bulb.

You might get a more informed response from the daylily forum.

Daylilies are generally sold as 1 or 2 fan divisions and mnwsgal is correct, they do not not grow from bulbs though the roots will develop some tuberous roots as water storage organs. If someone is trying to sell you daylily bulbs I would look for another source.

are you thinking of lily bulbs? Completely different plant. The only similarity is the shape of the flower. And even then, there's a pretty big difference.