CHOOSING THE BEST TYPES OF TULIPS

Before planting tulips, you should select the best available species for your needs. Many tulip species that are grown and bred in Holland are a good choice for planting in any home garden. Tulip festivals in Holland offer some great tulip species for sale. These include Red Emperor, Florentine Tulip, and many other varieties.

CHOOSING SOIL TYPE

To grow healthy tulip bulbs, you should select soil that is loose and airy, and has a high sand content. For proper growth of bulbs and leaves, make sure that the tulips are well drained. Mix 900g to 1000g of Canadian peat moss per square metre of the garden as it will improve the soil and promote better growth.

SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR TULIPS

Most species of tulip need the right amount of sunlight for proper development of the bulbs. It is better to plant tulips in a lightly shaded area but do not keep them away from sunlight or the bulbs will be chilled in the winter.

PLANTING TULIPS

You need to plant tulips at least 150mm (6 inches) under the ground. 150mm to 200mm (6 to 8 inches) is ideal. It is common to plant small tulip patches with a trowel i.e. a small spade preferably with a blade of about 150mm (6 inches) in size. Planting can be done easily with a dibble, a T-handled tool with a sharp point at its end. Insert the dibble's point into the ground where the plant is to be placed to leave an impression in the desired spot. Put your tulip plant in and cover the mix or dirt. You can also add a tablespoon of bone meal to every bulb when planting.

TIME OF PLANTING

You need to plant tulips in Autumn but not too early. Plant them before mid April.

PLACING TULIP BULBS IN THE GROUND

Tulip bulbs should placed in the ground with the pointed side up. Individual bulbs should be 125mm to 150mm (5 to 6 inches) distant from each other. After planting, it is advisable to water enough to make the soil properly moist. This helps in the formation of roots. Cover the tulip beds with a mulch of straw, preferably 25mm (1 inch) thick, to protect the soil and retain moisture.

CARING FOR TULIP BULBS

The primary issue in caring for tulip bulbs is to provide the plant with enough water at least once a month before the tulip flowers bloom. After they bloom you need to water them once a week. During long dry periods additional watering is required for proper growth of the bulb. Watering also prevents cracking of the soil's surface but do not allow water to pool as standing water is harmful for tulip bulbs.

Remove all the weeds from around the plant before they grow 25mm (1 inch) in size so that they do not inhibit the tulip's growth. In winter you may need to provide the plants with extra insulation to ensure healthy development.

Tulip bulbs should not be fertilized other than by adding bone meal at the time of planting. Overly rich soils are not good for tulip bulbs. Use a fertilizer that contains Nitrogen, Potassium, and other important nutrients for the plant's growth. Do not apply fertilizers to the plant once it starts blooming as this can cause the plant to fall prey to fungi and other diseases.

NUMBER OF TULIPS BLLOMING YEARLY

It is often the case that fewer tulips will come up the second year after planting than the first bloom. A number of things are responsible for this but the most significant reason is that the species of tulip you chose does really suit the climate you are living in. Also, if your soil is deficient in peat moss or sand there will be fewer blooms in later years. It is also possible your tulip bed might need to be moved to a sunnier spot. Many tulips bloom in early to late spring, usually for a month.

FAILURE IN GROWING TULIP BULBS

It is frustrating for tulip lovers to plant bulbs that never mature but this is a consequence of hasty incubation, i.e. you did not allow the bulbs sufficient time to incubate. You need to chill the bulbs in a fridge for a couple of months before trying to grow them in warm climates. Planting them in late fall, when the temperature of the ground drops below 15°C (60°F), is recommended for best results.

THE RIGHT TIME FOR PLANTING TULIP BULBS

Plant tulip bulbs in the Autumn season of your area. There are some zones where you will need to plant them around mid March to the first week in May. In other areas, planting tulips should be delayed right up until June, July, or even the cold days of August. Planting tulip bulbs depends on waiting for the time when the ground starts freezing in your area. If you are having an unusually warm winter you may choose to refrigerate the bulbs for a couple of months before planting them.

DEALING WITH FUNGUS ATTACK

If fungus attacks the tulips remove the affected plants quickly. Do not fertilize the plants with a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen after the blooming season. Adding mulch to your tulips will help protect them from fungi as well as help retain moisture in the soil.