When you shop for bulbs be sure to select the ones that are firm and
plump; the bulbs with mold or soft spots will probably suffer bulb rot.
Make sure to find the right area for planting your tulips and prepare
the soil. The soil needs to be free of clumps and should be loose in
order for the tulips to thrive; this can be accomplished by digging down
about twelve inches. Instructions for the
planting
depth of your bulbs should be included with your bulbs when you
purchase them. If they are not there is a general guideline for
planting; they should be planted to a depth of about three times the
height of the bulb. So, if a bulb is two inches, dig down six inches
place the bulb on the bottom and fill with soil about four inches high.
The spacing of bulbs should be about twice their width. You can also
plant farther apart if you wish or closer together; planting closer will
give your flower bed a beautiful showing when they begin to bloom.
You
can use a trowel or bulb planter for digging a hole in your prepared
soil for planting a single bulb in each hole. If you are going to plant
several tulips just use the trowel and dig a trough deep enough and long
enough to plant several bulbs at one time, this will save you a lot of
time. When you plant the bulb make sure the pointed side is up and the
flat side is on the bottom. Sometimes you may find some bulbs that are
hard to tell the pointed side from the flat side; if this is the case
just plant it on its side, the bulb will send its roots into the ground
and sprouts to the top of the soil. Once planted backfill the hole
making sure to get rid of air pockets by patting the soil down lightly
as you go, then water your bulbs completely afterwards.
Even if you decide to plant tulips in
containers
they still need planting during fall and winter outside. You always
want to select a container or pot that has drainage holes; fill the
bottom with a layer of small rocks or pea gravel for drainage. Plant
your bulbs in some good potting soil that is not too heavy with peat
because you want the water to drain so the bulbs do not rot by sitting
in water. If the potting soil has too much peat, mix in some sand to
help increase drainage. Fill the container with soil deep enough so when
you place the bulb in and place soil on top the bulb's tip will be
three to four inches from the top layer of soil. You can plant bulbs
closer together in containers, roughly 1/4" to 1/2" apart. Plant your
bulbs the same as you would for planting in the ground with the pointed
side up. You can also place a layer of mulch, about two inches deep, on
top of the soil for protection from harsh winter weather.
After you have planted your
flower bulbs
in the container water them thoroughly. Place the containers in the
garden or yard that gets protection from the sun and harsh temperatures;
a good area would be close to bushes or hedges. If you live in an area
that has very harsh winters you want to place them in an unheated garage
so the bulbs will not freeze solid. The bulbs will freeze much easier
if planted in containers so they will need more protection. When you
begin to see the first shoots coming from the tulip bulbs in spring,
place the container in full sun and give it a good watering.
You
can lightly top the soil with a mixture of compost and bone meal for
extra nutrients about a month before your tulips bloom. Once the bloom
fades away, cut it off so the plant's energy goes back to the bulb
instead of continuing to feed a faded flower. After they bloom, let the
leaves yellow for a couple of months before you cut them back; by this
time the leaves will come freely off the plant and they have fed the
bulbs. Some varieties of tulips will multiply so do not be surprised
when you dig up more
tulip bulbs than you planted.
