How and when to properly dig tulips and plant them back in the ground

  • Dec 13, 2020
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Tulips are one of the earliest and most beautiful spring flowers. They are quite unpretentious, but need periodic replanting of bulbs. Some varieties need it annually, while others need it every few years. We will figure out how to properly handle tulips in order to enjoy their beauty from year to year.

Tulips. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com
Tulips. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

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When to dig

Tulips are capable of seed propagation, but seedlings do not bloom until a few years later, and bulb propagation is considered optimal. If you cut the stems before the buds begin to form, the plant will redirect the forces to the growth of the bulbs, and you will get excellent planting material. Another option is to cut the flower 3-5 days after dissolution, leaving at least 3 leaves on the plant.

When about half of the foliage turns yellow, you can start digging out the tulips. It must be borne in mind that this procedure should be carried out before the aerial part completely disappears, because then the task of finding the bulbs may turn out to be impossible. In general, it is worth focusing on the weather and varietal characteristics of plants, but usually it is June - August.

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Valuable varieties such as fringed, parrot and green-flowered are necessarily removed from the ground every year so that their varietal characteristics do not degrade. Common early and late varieties, as well as tulips of Greig, Foster, Kaufman, Triumph and their hybrids, can be transplanted every 3-6 years.

Digging out tulips. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

How to dig up planting material and store it until the new season

Sunny and dry weather is suitable for this procedure. They start in the early morning. The holes are made as wide as possible in order to collect not only large bulbs, but also children. It is not at all difficult to obtain high-quality planting material from the latter.

If the temperature remains hot at night, the bulbs can be left in the excavated beds until the next morning. Otherwise, you should collect them before evening and put them under a canopy or in a shed with good air circulation.

After 3-5 days, they begin sorting and cleaning from dried scales, roots and soil residues. Healthy bulbs should be free from damage, spots and rot, firm and covered with light brown scales.

For storage, tulips are laid out in one layer and kept for 20 days at a temperature of +23 and a humidity of about 80%. This will help the bulbs to develop strong stems, leaves and roots. You cannot put it into a cold pantry or cellar, because at low temperatures the bulbs will weaken and either die, or they will not be able to bloom for several more years.

Closer to disembarkation, the temperature and humidity are lowered to +15 and 70%, respectively. Thus, the planting material is hardened. Inspect it periodically for pest damage and remove the spoiled one.

Drop off time

Children are planted in warm ground in August or September. Large bulbs are planted from late September to early November. The ground at a depth of 15 cm should be at least +10. If it gets colder, put the bulbs in the cellar, covering them with sand or sawdust.

Planting tulips. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

How to plant

Tulips prefer well-lit areas, fertile and loose soil, fertilized with humus.

The onion is peeled, dipped in a solution of potassium permanganate, sprinkled with wood ash, planted in a hole 15 cm deep and buried. The distance between the pits is made from 20 to 40 cm. After 2 weeks, they are watered, and after another two they are mulched with peat, sawdust or fallen leaves.

Do you plant tulips?

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Read about when to dig tulips after flowering in the following article:When to dig tulips after flowering and when to plant again