If you live in the South, or anywhere with mild winter seasons, and your garden looks like spring in Rotterdam every year, then you need to understand how to handle tulip bulbs properly. If your fall-planted bulbs produced weak or no flowers, then it’s time to learn how to keep tulip bulbs correctly.
Tulip bulbs require a period of winter to produce spring blossoms. While in some locations gardeners leave the bulbs in the ground to rebloom every spring, to get extreme and reliable flowers, especially in the South, tulips need to be dealt with as annuals. Getting rid of the bulbs from the ground after blooming and the foliage has yellowed and withered then saving them effectively for replanting between Halloween and Christmas will provide you year after year of gorgeous spring flowers.
When To Store Tulip Bulbs
If you are saving tulip bulbs from year to year, eliminate the flower stalk once the flower has actually faded to avoid a seed pod from forming. Leave the foliage in location for around six weeks or up until it has actually yellowed and withered to continue event and keeping nutrients essential for reblooming in the bulb.
When the foliage has actually withered, the bulbs must be removed from the garden. The timing depends upon your USDA strength zone and weather condition patterns. If you do not like the appearance of yellowing leaves, consider planting shallow-rooted annuals or perennials to conceal the foliage.
Digging Up Tulip Bulbs
When it’s time to dig up the bulbs, utilize a garden fork to help loosen the soil. This tool works much better than a shovel or spade that might accidentally cut the bulb in half.
Slowly work your way through the garden and gently raise the bulbs to the top of the soil.
Tap away loose soil holding on to the bulbs and place them in a container or basket.
Cleaning And Drying Tulip Bulbs
The primary rule for cleaning up tulip bulbs: Do not wash the bulbs.
Take the freshly dug tulip bulbs to a work area for examination. Discard any harmed, soft, or decaying bulbs.
Usage clean garden shears to remove any roots and dried foliage still attached.
Spread out the bulbs out on a cake rack so they are not touching each other. Great air blood circulation all around the bulb is important.
Place the rack in a cool, dry, dark area like a garage, closet, or basement. Enable the bulbs to air dry for 48 to 72 hours.
When the bulbs feel dry and papery, it’s time to move them to their summertime storage spot.
Storing Tulip Bulbs
How and where you save tulip bulbs will depend upon the number of you have and how much space you’ll require. The most important consideration is to ensure they remain in a cool, dark, dry area. Preferably, the bulbs ought to be stored at temperatures no higher than 65 degrees F. and no lower than 39 degrees F.
Flat Storage in Dry Substrate
Tulip bulbs can be saved flat on a tray or in a shallow box in a thin layer of dry moss, vermiculite, shredded paper, or sand. Be sure the bulbs are not touching.
You likewise wrap each bulb in a small sheet of newsprint and shop them flat on a tray or shallow box.
Hanging Storage
Dried bulbs can be saved in a net bag like those utilized for grocery store onions. Hang so there is excellent air flow all around the bag.
You can use old leggings or pantyhose to save the bulbs too. Drop them into the tube and tie a knot between each bulb. Hang for great air flow.
You can also save the bulbs in paper bags suspended with twine.
Refrigerated Storage
If you have the area, the bulbs can be wrapped in newsprint or placed in a net bag in a fridge drawer. This 12 to 16-week chilling period at around 40 degrees F. will help ensure a great bloom.
Do not keep the bulbs with fruit, specifically apples, which release ethylene gas which may harm the bulbs.
Tips For Successful Bulb Storage
Make certain to identify saved bulbs to keep colors and ranges different. Most tulip bulbs look really comparable!
Keeping the bulbs separated from each other with paper, material, or dry, loose material is the very best method to prevent rot.
Check the bulbs a couple of times over the summer and early fall to make certain they are dry. Discard any bulbs that reveal indications of mold or softening.
Plant the bulbs instantly after removal from cold storage.
Regularly Asked Questions
For how long can tulip bulbs be stored?
Tulips can be saved effectively for up to 12 months if kept in a dark, dry area between 40 and 65 degrees.
Can I keep tulip bulbs in the fridge?
A vegetable crisper drawer is an excellent place to keep tulip bulbs for 12 to 16 weeks before planting. You need to not keep fruits in the very same drawer. The ripening fruits give off ethylene gas that can harm the bulbs.
Should I eliminate the foliage before keeping tulip bulbs?
Once the foliage on tulips has actually yellowed and withered, the bulbs ought to be removed from the garden. Before storing the bulbs, use tidy garden shears to get rid of the foliage and any noticeable roots.
Can I save tulip bulbs in plastic bags?
Plastic bags are not ideal for keeping tulip bulbs since they trap moisture and avoid excellent air blood circulation. Opt for paper or mesh net bags rather, or cut holes in a heavy plastic bag for great air flow.
