I'd say it is worth a try to get it to root. I wouldn't place it in direct sunlight until it rooted. I've never tried it personally, but I've transplanted bronze fennel from my old house,and they out survived some of the other plants. It was somewhat of a surprise, but once a fennel bulb is mature, or at least established, they are actually pretty hardy if it is in the type of cultural conditions they like. I have a large bronze fennel that I had at my old house for at least seven years, and now it is going on it's second year here. I believe the key is afternoon shade, or even being in a position where it is mostly protected from long durations of direct sunlight during the hottest summer months.

I don't know whether it will root but like btg suggested, I'd think it's worth a try.

I live in central Arkansas and I've found the fennel here requires protection from mid day to afternoon sun, too. I tried growing fennel in full sun last summer and it didn't survive, even with a lot of extra care.

This year I choose a growing location that is in a raised bed, where I worked in a lot of old leaf compost and after planting, put down a heavy cover of leaf clippings mulch. This site gets only early morning sun. They are growing much better this year and I hope they will return next year. I'm growing both the florence fennel and the bronze.

Please come back and let us know if you're successful with rooting your bulb.

Mary