When to dig up and how to preserve tulip bulbs

  • Dec 13, 2020
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Once the flowering phase is complete, bulbous flowers need to have their root system properly prepared before replanting. Otherwise, next year, you may not see the same number of spring flowers in the flower beds. If you know when to dig up and how to preserve tulip bulbs, you will not only be able to save, but also increase the number of plants in the flowerbed.

Once the flowering phase is complete, bulbous flowers need to have their root system properly prepared before replanting. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com
Once the flowering phase is complete, bulbous flowers need to have their root system properly prepared before replanting. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

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Why and when to dig tulips

The root system of tulips tends to go deeper into the ground every year. For this reason, the plant is recommended to be replanted every season. In this case, it is not at all necessary to change the location of the flower bed on the site.

If you do not take care of spring flowers, they will deepen and deepen every year. This process will gradually lead to a deterioration in the appearance of the flower. The plant will experience a decrease in petal size. Further progression of the tuber deepening will lead to the fact that in one of the next seasons the tulip bulbs will not be able to release sprouts that reach the surface. The root system of the plant will not produce offspring and will die.

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In addition to limiting the natural depth of the root system, it is necessary to excavate the root system so that the bulb forms a new flower arrow during dormancy.

Tulips are not dug up immediately after the end of their flowering season. Plants are left in the flower bed until the aboveground part begins to turn yellow and dry. This period falls in the middle of summer. But after flowering, it is recommended to immediately cut off all the peduncles. The seed pod should not be allowed to ripen. This procedure will strengthen the bulb.

The stem of the flower that has not yet been completely lost will allow you to dig up all the bulbs. If you wait until the end of summer, the aboveground part of the tulip will disappear and it will be difficult to find all the bulbs. Even if you completely dig up the flower bed, you can miss some roots. Also gardening tools can damage many bulbs.

Some gardeners, in order not to dig out tulips every year and to avoid deepening of the root system, plant plants in forms. These baskets are also convenient because the flowers can be dug out even after the aerial part has completely dried out without fear of damaging the bulb. But even in baskets, tulips cannot be grown for more than 3 years without a transplant. Babies begin to appear near the mother's bulb. The formed nest will not deepen, but it will not be able to develop normally. The root system will oppress itself.

Tulips are not dug up immediately after the end of their flowering season. Plants are left in the flower bed until the aboveground part begins to turn yellow and dry. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

How to properly prepare for storage

After digging, sorting is carried out. It is necessary to separate the maternal part from the offspring (children). Missing and damaged bulbs are also collected. Planting material that meets all quality criteria must be dried (but not in direct sunlight). The storage area should be dry, with a low percentage of humidity and well-ventilated. After 2-3 days, dried tubers are cleaned of soil and husks. Only that part of the scales is removed, which is well separated. During operation, do not use an auxiliary tool such as a knife. If you forcibly remove the husk, i.e. peel the bulb, the tulip root may disappear.

The planting material is soaked in an aqueous solution of manganese. The color of the disinfectant should be pink. In a solution of potassium permanganate, the bulbs are kept for 30 minutes, and then removed to dry. After drying, they are sorted by size and stored in a dry room until autumn.

Small tubers, babies, most often do not bloom the next year. For this reason, they can be planted in an inconspicuous area. During the next warm season, the root system will strengthen, and after a year, flowers will appear.

It is recommended to harden the bulbs before planting them in the ground. The root system of plants must be placed in an environment with a temperature that matches the weather outside for several days. Such a measure will increase the endurance of the garden culture, which will allow it to take root well and survive the winter.

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