Tulips are some of the most beautiful spring flowers that delight with their intense colors and elegant shapes. To enjoy their flowering for as long as possible, it is worth knowing how to properly plant, water and care for them after they bloom. Is it better to plant bulbs in autumn or spring? What position and soil are best for them? Check out our tried-and-true tips and learn how to grow tulips to make them bloom in your garden every year!
Tulips delight with a variety of colors and shapes
Photo: wirestock © Freepik
When and how to plant tulips?
Planting tulips is a key stage of their cultivation, which affects the health of the plants and the intensity of flowering. The best time to put the bulbs in the ground is in autumn, from September to November, depending on weather conditions. The optimal soil temperature should be around 6-10°C, as soil that is too warm can promote the development of fungal diseases, and planting too late can make the plant not have time to root well before winter. Choosing the right site is crucial. Tulips grow best in sunny or lightly shaded areas where they have access to light for most of the day. Avoid waterlogged areas, as lingering water can lead to bulb rot.
Tulips prefer sunny and slightly shaded locations
Photo by Giu Vicente © UNSPLASH
Before planting, it is a good idea to prepare the ground, digging the soil to a depth of about 20-25 cm. Tulips prefer light, fertile and permeable soil, so if it is too heavy and clayey, it is worth adding some sand. On the other hand, if there is a lack of nutrients, enrich the soil with compost or well-decomposed manure. Bulbs should be planted at a depth of three times their height, which is usually 10-15 cm. They are placed in the ground with the pointed side up, keeping a gap of about ten centimeters between each plant. After covering with soil, it is a good idea to lightly compact the substrate so that the bulbs have stable conditions for growth. After planting, the tulips should be watered moderately, which will stimulate the rooting process. In colder regions, it is also a good idea to protect the bulbs from frost by mulching the soil surface with a layer of bark, straw or dry leaves. With careful preparation and the right conditions in spring, the plants will return the favor with beautiful, colorful flowers.
How to care for tulips?
Proper care of tulips is the key to their beautiful and long flowering. Although these plants are relatively easy to grow, they require a few basic treatments to please the eye with intense colors and healthy growth. First of all, remember to water them regularly, especially during the period of intense growth and flowering. Tulips prefer moderate humidity, so it's best to water them when the soil is noticeably dry. It is also worth taking care of good fertilization. In early spring, as soon as the first leaves appear, apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to stimulate the plants' growth. Later, it is worth reaching for phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to help the flowering process. An important part of tulip care is also the removal of blooms. This procedure not only improves the aesthetics of the bed, but also prevents the formation of seeds, which weakens the bulbs and limits their flowering in subsequent seasons. Only the inflorescences should be cut off, leaving the leaves, which play a key role in photosynthesis. Plants should be given time to dry naturally - only when the leaves become completely yellow and dry can they be removed. After the growing season, it is worth considering whether the bulbs should remain in the ground or be dug up. If the tulips grow in fertile, well-drained soil and bloom regularly, they can remain in the same position for several years. Otherwise, it's a good idea to dig them up in June or July, clean them, dry them and store them in a dry, airy place for replanting in the fall. Thanks to these simple procedures, tulips will impress every year with their spring charm, creating striking compositions in the garden.
Tulips prefer moderate humidity
Photo: wirestock © Freepik
How to store tulip bulbs after flowering?
In order for tulips to bloom healthily and abundantly the following season, proper storage of bulbs after flowering is key. After flowering, leave the leaves to dry completely - this will give the bulb time to accumulate nutrients for next year. When the leaves turn yellow and begin to easily detach from the stem, you can dig up the bulbs. This is best done on a dry day, using a gardening fork to avoid damage. After digging, the bulbs should be cleaned of excess soil and left to dry in an airy, shady place for several days. Then the dried remains of the stems and roots are removed, and the smaller adventitious bulbs, which can be used for propagation, are separated. Storage should be in a dry, dark and cool place with a temperature of about 15°C. Ideally, bulbs should be placed in paper bags or openwork boxes lined with sawdust, dry peat or sand to prevent excessive moisture and mold growth. Before replanting in the fall, it is a good idea to check the condition of the bulbs. Soft, damaged or spoiled copies should be discarded to avoid disease.
Bulbs after flowering should be stored in a dry, dark and cool place
Photo by Esther Gorlee © UNSPLASH
The most beautiful varieties of tulips
Tulips are some of the most diverse garden flowers. They are available in hundreds of varieties that vary in color, shape and flowering period. They can be divided into several main groups, each distinguished by unique characteristics.
Botanical tulips
They are characterized by their small size and resistance to harsh weather conditions. They are ideal for growing in rockeries and naturalistic gardens, as they grow quickly and can bloom for many years without having to dig up bulbs. Popular varieties include Tulipa tarda, with yellow flowers with white petal tips, and Tulipa kaufmanniana, called water lily tulip, because of its wide-open flowers that resemble water lilies.
Tulipa tarda
Photo by Ulf Eliasson (epibase) |Wikimedia Commons © CC-BY-2.5 DEED
Single early tulips
As the name suggests, they bloom as one of the first, usually as early as April. They have simple, classic flowers set on short but sturdy stems, making them resistant to wind and rain. An excellent example is the Princess Irene variety, stunning with its intense orange color and purple streaks.
Princess Irene tulip
Photo by Alli Remler © UNSPLASH
Triumph tulips
These are some of the most widely grown tulips, prized for their durability and wide range of colors. They have medium-sized, well-formed flowers that bloom in mid-spring. An interesting variety is Negrita, with a deep purple hue, and White Dream, a classic white tulip, perfect for elegant beds.
Tulip Negrita
Photo by Cillas|Wikimedia Commons © CC-BY-4.0 DEED
Parrot tulips
This is one of the most striking groups of tulips, distinguished by their wavy, irregular petals, which resemble the exotic feathers of a parrot. Their flowers often have multicolored patterns and unusual shapes. Examples are Black Parrot, in an unusually deep, almost black shade of purple, and Estella Rijnveld, combining white with intense red.
Black Parrot tulip
Photo by Anna reg|Wikimedia Commons © CC-BY-3.0 DEED
Full late tulips
Also called peony tulips, this type impresses with its abundant, full flowers that resemble roses or peonies. They bloom in late spring and are extremely decorative. One of the best-known varieties is Angelique, with delicately pink, romantic flowers, and Yellow Pomponette, presenting a golden, warm shade of yellow.
Angelique tulip
Photo by Midori|Wikimedia Commons © CC-BY-3.0 DEED
Lilac tulips
Their slender, elegantly curved petals form a shape reminiscent of a lily cup. These exceptionally stylish tulips bloom in the second half of spring and are perfect for bouquets. One of the best-known varieties is Ballerina, with intense orange flowers and a delicate fragrance, and White Triumphator, a classic white tulip with subtly curved petals.
Ballerina lily-shaped tulip
Photo by Midori|Wikimedia Commons © CC-BY-3.0 DEED
Rembrandt tulips
These are varieties known for their distinctive striped patterns on their petals. Although they were once the result of a viral infection, today growers obtain them in a controlled manner. Their picturesque colors are reminiscent of the master painter's paintings, hence the group's name. An example is Rem's Favourite, with its contrasting combination of white and purple.
Rembrandt tulips
Photo by Kwang Mathurosemontri © UNSPLASH
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Compiled byKATARZYNA SZOSTAK
