7 Common Questions About Tulips

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Tulips are planted by all summer residents. Beginners have questions: why they do not bloom or the buds become small, when to dig / plant, what to do after flowering. Consider frequently asked questions

Question 1. Why short stalks?

The height of the peduncle stem depends on the variety. If your tulips fall short of the standards, then the plants don't like something.

The most common cause of a drop in height is over-deepening of the bulb. This happens if you don't dig up the bulbs every year. The lack of height can be during nitrogen starvation, growing in a shaded place or in overdried soil, on sandy soil.

Question 2. Why don't tulips bloom?

The reasons are different, I will name the main ones.

• Poor quality planting material will not bloom. Inspect the bulbs before planting. If there are signs of rot, sores, cuts, fungal lesions, soft bottom - do not plant.

• The size. First-year bulbs: "girls", "children", require growing and do not bloom in the first year. Bulbs with a diameter of less than 3 cm will also not bud. A dry, clean head larger than 4 cm is a good option.

• Wrong location. Flooded lowlands are detrimental to the bulbs; with an excess of moisture, they rot. Do not plant tulips in such places. And also for full development, lighting is important: 6-8 hours of high-grade sunlight.

• Planting depth. The optimal planting of the bulb is its three heights or 12-15 cm. With a deeper planting, all the force is spent on germination, on the bud, it does not remain. When small, the sprout freezes, and the onion dries up in the heat.

• Incorrect cut. For pouring the rhizome, leaves are needed, and seed plants are not needed. Leaving faded buds draws out the juices, and the fruit does not grow. Cut immediately after the petals wither, leave 1-2 leaves.

Question 3. Why do the petals become striped?

The change in varietal characteristics occurs from a viral infection. The disease is called variegation. When such flowers appear, you need to dig them up and destroy them. Otherwise, the disease will spread to all tulips.

Infection occurs through the juice. The carriers are leaf-eating pests. It is impossible to cure variegation, but prevention in the form of insect control helps prevent infection of the flower garden. Other diseases can also affect the color change: gray, root, sclerocial rot, fusarium.

Question 4. What to do with tulips after flowering?

The successful ripening of the bulb depends on the aerial part: the stem and leaves stimulate the processes of development and nutrition. Our task, after wilting of the peduncles, is to trim the stem. The operation is carried out with scissors or a sharp knife, leaving two lower leaves.

In dry weather, water the garden within two weeks of pruning. Feed with potassium-phosphorus fertilizer (30 g per sq. / M).

Question 5. When to dig up tulips?

You need to focus on the state of the aboveground part. The climate of each region is different, so the timing of excavation is different. The leaves left after pruning should turn yellow and the stem should become soft. This is a signal of the maturity of the rhizome, the tulip can be dug up. Do not overdo it or wait for the stem to become dry and brittle.

It is better to carry out work in dry weather - the earth does not stick, the onions are clean. After digging up, the "harvest" is sent to dry in the attic or in another dry, ventilated room.

Question 6. When to plant tulips?

Planting times depend on your climate. In mid-latitudes, this is September, early October. In the northern regions - earlier, in the southern - later.

Question 7. How many years can you not dig up tulips?

Exotic and hybrid varieties (Darwin, Triumph, etc.) need to be dug out every year. Simple types, without terry and fringe, can be left in one place for 3-4 years. Classic, one-color (red, yellow) - up to 7 years.

Without digging, the bulb deepens, becomes smaller, the quality of the buds and the height of the stem are reduced. With long-term cultivation in one place, you need to do systematic feeding and watering.

If you have any questions, you can discuss them in the comments.