{"id":2392,"date":"2019-06-10T03:08:11","date_gmt":"2019-06-10T03:08:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2392"},"modified":"2020-01-22T09:11:57","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T09:11:57","slug":"14-keys-for-taking-good-care-of-tulips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/14-keys-for-taking-good-care-of-tulips\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Keys for Taking Good Care of Tulips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tulips are one of the most popular flower types out there, and they are second only to roses in terms of how often you\u2019ll see them in gardens all over the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While they\u2019re generally associated with Holland as its national flower \u2013 and while Holland might be one of the world\u2019s largest exporters of tulips \u2013 the flower initially originates from Turkey, where it can still be found in many gardens today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People plant tulips for their incredible beauty, and there\u2019s good reason why the trading of tulips is generally considered to be the first origins of what we know today as the stock market. Years ago, tulips were literally worth their weight in gold \u2013 and even today, they\u2019re valued as one of the most gorgeous additions to any flower garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 keys for taking good care of tulips and ensuring you have the best possible results when flowering time comes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Type of Soil<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first and most important things for new gardeners to think about when planting tulips for the first time is the type of soil that you\u2019re planting in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re planting tulips, you should know that they need the kind of soil which gets more than enough moisture \u2013 but the kind of soil that doesn\u2019t trap moisture in. This is called soil with good drainage capability, and there are plenty of ways (including composting) to achieve this if you don\u2019t have suitable soil to begin with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tulips prefer to grow (and in fact, will flourish) in sand-based soil: Mix a layer of sand in with regular soil before the composting process to create soil that\u2019s nutrient-rich, cool enough for tulips to thrive and with enough moisture to let through enough water without becoming wet and causing issues like rot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember to test the pH of the soil (with an easy home-testing strip) beforehand \u2013 neutral pH (up to six or seven) is best for tulips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Depth<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Depth is one of the other most important factors when planting tulips, especially because they\u2019re generally being planted from bulbs. The general rule for gauging how deep they should be planted when it comes to tulip bulbs is multiplying the size of the bulb you have by at least three \u2013 deeper than this, and they might not take root, but shallower than this and they also might not take as they should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planting shallower than you should also mean that bulbs could be exposed to harsher cold (or warmer heat) than they should: Obviously, not great for getting plants to grow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re transplanting existing plants into the ground instead, then you should look at the root system to gauge just how deep down they should go. Leave just enough room for the roots to \u201ctake\u201d properly in the ground, and loosely cover around the roots with soil, then water \u2013 and make sure you don\u2019t overdo it on watering whether you\u2019re planting from bulbs or transplanting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Partial Shade<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tulips prefer being planted in at least partial shade, and while they should be getting at least half a day\u2019s worth of sunlight, they should be getting equal amounts of proper shade or you won\u2019t get nearly as much out of the plant as you\u2019d like. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people choose to plant tulips directly in their gardens, but there are also many people who instead plant tulips in pots. This doesn\u2019t make any difference to their lighting requirements, although it can make plants easier to move towards partial shade in hotter places when they\u2019re planted in pots rather than directly in the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shade netting can go far in areas where you want to protect your tulips from exposure to harsh windy climates, or in places where tulips are getting more sunlight than they should. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan your garden adequately so that you know which areas get the most sunlight versus which  ones are perfect for tulips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Treated or Not<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When buying tulips to plant in bulbs, take a look at the labeling and one of the first things that you\u2019ll notice is the fact that you can buy either treated or untreated bulbs; this can be confusing for first-time gardeners who aren\u2019t used to bulbous flowers or planting them, but you can rest assured that it\u2019s not nearly as complicated as you might have thought at first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The difference between treated and untreated bulbs is the conditions in which they were packed: Treated bulbs have been chilled down to the point where they go into a type of hibernation, and when packed into the soil their growth is activated much faster \u2013 directly \u2013 when compared to untreated bulbs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can almost be said that the untreated bulbs have to \u201cwake up\u201d to get to growth and flowering, while treated bulbs can get you there faster. Make sure which you have in order to estimate the flowering time right, at least more or less. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Composting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Composting is one of the most important elements when you\u2019re setting up your garden, and gardeners do this both for the benefit of their own gardens and often the larger benefit of the environment around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Composting helps you to cut down on the waste your house produces, and things that would normally have decomposed in the bin \u2013 and caused a smell throughout the house every time the bin is opened \u2013 can easily be mixed with soil and turned into organic compost that\u2019s great for your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When composting for tulips, it doesn\u2019t have to be done often \u2013 about two times a year will do. More than this and you can mess with the natural pH of the garden too much, and the same is true if you\u2019re mixing in too much compost versus soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, test the pH of the soil (neutral is best) before you plant and throughout the growth phase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Pests Affecting Tulips<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s common for first-time gardeners to develop an unnatural fear of finding pests in their gardens, and this fear is (mostly) not nearly as bad as you might think \u2013 and when it does happen, there are a few natural ways to deal with it that doesn\u2019t involve having to add pesticides to your garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first thing you should know is that not all pests are inherently bad; if you find a ladybug or two in your garden, there\u2019s no need to worry \u2013 but if you find snails eating their way through your flowering tulips to the point where the plants themselves are affected, then you might want to think about making a plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, there\u2019s no need to have to resort to pesticides in order to fix pests: There are many things (including catnip and other plants in the mint family) that can help to ward off pests in your garden, and you don\u2019t have to poison the garden with anything unnatural to do it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Watch for Tulip Fire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There aren\u2019t a lot of diseases that will affect tulips, and that\u2019s what\u2019s made them one of the hardest type of flowers that you can grow in almost any area (even though people don\u2019t generally think this is the case!) – but there is one thing that tulip gardeners should keep a close eye out for, and it\u2019s referred to as tulip fire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a fungal disease which affects tulips, and it gets its name from the fact that it will make the leaves and flowers appear like they have been \u201con fire\u201d – this also risks changing the form of the flowers and stalks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this happens to your plants, the best thing you can do is to root out the affected plants; as a side-note, don\u2019t put affected trimmings back into the compost since you risk infecting the rest of your plants \u2013 discard them as far away from your main compost heap as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Trimming Correctly<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most important things for first-time flower gardeners to learn is when to trim flowers and leaves off plants \u2013 done wrong, it can be one of the most detrimental things for your plant, but done right it can be one of the best possible things you can do in order to promote further growth for the plant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the seasons change and the leaves begin to discolor as a result, it generally makes for the perfect time to trim your tulips: Cut away the brown leaves (and the parts in the process of turning brown) if you want the plant to conserve energy towards creating new growth from the parts that have been cut off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This gives you a chance to spot the condition your plants are in, and if you spot any issues here, correct where needed \u2013 in most cases, the majority of different issues can be corrected with simple adjustments to soil, watering or nutrients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Growing Tulips in Containers
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Tulips do well when grown in pots or containers indoors. Start your tulips off by planting the bulbs in a 25-gallon pot, and storing them in the root cellar, along with your other bulbous herbs and veggies, like garlic and beets. If you don\u2019t have a root cellar, then store the container in the dark, in a cool place somewhere in your home.
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It takes around a week or two for the first leaves to start to show at the surface of the soil, and at this time you can transfer your container outdoors. Place your container where the tulips get full morning sun. The morning sun is much more important to tulips than the afternoon sun, so try and keep your plants in as sunny a spot as possible.
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Tulips require air and drainage, so we recommend you use a loamy soil, and a material pot to allow for optimal airflow to the bulb during the growth cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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10. Tulip Varieties
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There are hundreds of varieties of tulips to choose from. However, not all tulips suit intermediate or novice growers. Some types of tulips are costly. Back in the 17th century during the height of the tulip bubbler, as single Semper Augustus bulb sold for $5,700, which in today\u2019s money standards adjusted for inflation, would be more than 150-times its value.
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While this was an anomaly of its time, some tulips are still reasonably expensive, so check the price tag before you add it to your cart. Here are our top varieties of tulip we recommend for your garden.
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Emperor tulips \u2013 This type of tulip has large flowers and are the first tulips to bloom in the spring. Emperors are one of the easiest tulips to grow, as they are mold-resistant and don\u2019t receive many pest problems.
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Greigii tulips \u2013 This variety produces two to four flowers on a single stem. The blooming season extends by a few weeks with this type, and growers will notice that the foliage develops stripes or flecks of color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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11. Rotate Your Flowerbeds
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As we discussed earlier, tulips are susceptible to fungal disease. Even if you pull the bulbs of infected tulips, the pathogens may remain in the soil for years, infecting any further bulbs you plant in the same spot. It\u2019s for this reason that we recommend you rotate your crops each flowering season.
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The fungus becomes a problem for tulips grown cold, damp condit0ons. While tulips need dark and cold to germinate and start, when they are growing, they demand full sunlight and the heat of the summertime to maintain their healthy growth.
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To protect your future crops, we recommend that you dig up all of the bulbs at the end of the growing season. Inspect for disease, and throw out any infected bulbs. You can salvage healthy bulbs, and regrow them the following season. However, we recommend you start fresh each season to avoid any complications from occurring with your crop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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12. Digging and Curing Tulip Bulbs
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If you do decide to create a sustainable tulip garden and replant your bulbs, you\u2019ll still need to dig them up for inspection at the end of the season.
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Save any bulbs that make it and then start the pruning process. Be careful when digging up the tulips, and make sure you dig with your trowel in an 8-inch radius around the base of the stem. Remove any loose earth after digging up the bulb, and then remove all the dead foliage with pruning scissors.
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Curing bulbs is no challenge. All you need is box or container filled with dry sand. Pack your bulbs into the sand, covering them about three-quarters of the way.
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Ensure that none of your bulbs touch each other and that none of them are wet \u2013 we don\u2019t recommend that you rinse the earth from the roots before curing. Store the box at 66F till the fall, and then remove the bulbs and start the planting process again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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13. Harvesting Tulips
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After a productive and successful growing season, you should have a flower bed full of tulips ready for harvest. Start your harvest from one end of the flowerbed to the other, and only cut the tulips that are ready, you may have to harvest in stages over the course of a few days to get all of the flowers as they mature.
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Cut your tulips at the stem in a 45-degree manner. This technique allows the cut stem to absorb nutrients and water when you put the flowers in the water later on after harvesting. After cutting, pull the bulb from the ground and store it separately away from the flowers.
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Sometimes, the stems of harvested tulips may start to bend after cutting. You can prevent this from happening by wrapping your tulips tightly in a newspaper and secure the top two-thirds of the flowers. Place the stems in water to keep the flower fresh and ready for sale or display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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14. Storing Tulips
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After harvesting your tulips, it’s best if you get them into some water as soon as possible. If you leave harvested tulips out of water for more than a few hours, the flowers will no longer be able to absorb nutrients from the water when you go to display the plant, resulting in premature wilting.
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We recommend you add a teaspoon of baking soda to the water when displaying the plants. The baking soda drops the pH of the water to alkaline levels, helping you to preserve the tulips. Replace the water in the vase every day, and trim away any dead petals to keep your display looking fresh.
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If displayed correctly, your tulips may last for up to 2-weeks before you have to throw them on the compost heap. Keep your tulip display in a cool room, and away from any sources of heat, like a fireplace. This strategy helps to increase the longevity of the flowers.
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