Tulips are a type of spring plant with various flower shapes and colors that are very attractive. The colors of the flowers are as diverse as the colors of the rainbow. Tulips can be grown from seeds or tubers. Tulips cannot live in the open in tropical climates because they need low temperatures for tuber growth, unless the cold treatment process begins. On the other hand, in a four-season country, if tulip bulbs are planted in the fall-before the soil has cooled and hardened-then when the weather warms up in spring, the buds will appear and bloom. Continue reading this article to learn how to grow tulips from bulbs.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparation for Planting Tulip Bulbs
Step 1. Prepare to plant tulip bulbs in the fall
After the summer weather fades into fall, when the nights get cooler, this is the perfect time to plant tulip bulbs. You need to plant the bulbs before the first frost falls, which hardens the soil and makes it difficult to dig. Tulip bulbs should be planted at least while the soil is still around 60°F (15.6°C).
- Plan to plant tulip bulbs within a week of you buying them. The bulbs cannot be placed on the ground for too long.
- Don't plant tulip bulbs too soon. If so, the bulbs will sprout before the weather gets cold and die as soon as it snows. Tulip bulbs should be buried and "sleeping" throughout the winter and emerge and flower in the spring.
Step 2. Select the tulip bulbs to plant
You can buy tulip bulbs from nursery centers, home and garden supply stores, or buy them online. Tulips are hardy plants that can grow in a variety of climates. Depending on the variety you buy, each bulb will produce 1-4 flower stalks.
- Choose bulbs that feel firm to the touch, with a thin, light brown skin, almost like the skin of an onion.
- Do not plant bulbs that are tender or wilted, as the inside may rot or die.
Step 3. Decide where you will plant the tulip bulbs
Many people plant tulips along fences, walkways, or around buildings to add a bit of color. Tulips are usually planted in rows, as it will be easier to control where the bulbs start to grow. Imagine where you will plant the tulips when you are ready to plant.
- Tulips grow best in areas that are exposed to sunlight or in areas with light shade, and not too wet.
- Tulips come in a wide variety of flower colors, so it's relatively easy to grow them in interesting patterns and shapes. For example, you can plant them in alternating colors or mix all the colors in one bed. Design a tulip planting pattern that will make your yard look great.
Part 2 of 2: Planting Tulip Bulbs
Step 1. Assess where to plant
Tulips can grow in most types of soil, and there's not much you need to do to prepare for planting. However, if the soil you live in is very dry and hard, you will need to wait until the day after it rains to plant the bulbs. Remove weeds or rocks and use a shovel to loosen and allow for soil aeration.
Step 2. Dig a hole for planting the tulip bulbs
Separate the holes 4-6 inches (±10.2-15.2 cm), and dig a hole about 8 inches (±20.3 cm) from the base of the tuber. So if you have a 1-inch (±2.54 cm) tuber, you will need a 9-inch (±22.86 cm) deep hole. The larger the diameter of the tuber, the deeper the hole will have to be made.
- While digging, you will need to remove any debris from plant roots, rocks and other debris that could potentially interfere with the growth of the tulips.
- You can insert cat litter, gravel, leaves, or thorn bushes into the bulb hole to prevent mice and other rodents from living in the hole.
Step 3. Plant the tulip bulbs
Place the tulip bulb into the hole with the pointy side up (otherwise the bulb will grow downward). Return the excavated soil to the hole and pat it with your hands; be careful not to plant the bulbs in different directions.
Tulips are naturally classified as perennial plants. That is, the plant can regrow more than once. In most climates, however, the soil is not conducive to more than one year of growth, and tubers contain only enough nutrients to grow once. If you want the tulips to grow again after the first year, you can plant several types of food crops in the hole before backfilling them
Step 4. Water the tulip bulbs but not too much
Right after planting, water the tulip bulbs with enough water. Watering will help the bulbs start the growth process. Do not let the tubers submerge, however, if they are too wet they will rot and die.
Don't water the bulbs again, unless the weather is really dry outside. Unless the soil is very dry, there is no need for water to water the bulbs. Newly planted bulbs may rot if the soil becomes too wet and the water stagnates. There should be enough rain during the fall and winter so that the tulip bulbs will get enough moisture
Step 5. Watch the tulips grow in the spring
Around March or April for the Northern Hemisphere and around September or October for the Southern Hemisphere, the tulip bulbs you plant will turn into a beautiful flower garden.
Tips
- If you need to water newly planted bulbs, be sure to use a manual sprinkler, as the water will flow more gently than using a pressure hose.
- Tulips need cool weather for their roots. So postpone planting until late fall in cooler regions and early winter in warmer regions. If you live in a warm climate, you will need to refrigerate the bulbs (ideally in the refrigerator) for 8-12 weeks before planting. This process is also known as cold treatment.
- You can place markers in the soil around the bulb planting area using brightly colored markers. That way you'll know where the tubers are buried so they won't be damaged by using a shovel the next time you dig.
- Use a spray bottle instead of a water hose.
