 Ever
since tulips were first exported from the cool regions of Turkey and the
Himalayas, gardeners have struggled to make them perform each spring without
fail. Perennial tulips are special because, unlike many hybrids, they come
back reliably year after year. Besides choosing a truly perennial variety,
there are a few steps you can take to ensure perennial performance… * Plant
bulbs in well-drained soil. This will help naturalizing or perennializing
and cut down on the risk of disease and fungus. * Plant bulbs deep. Measuring
from the base of the bulb, place the tulip about eight inches deep. * Water
after planting. This will ensure that your tulips develop a strong root
system before going into winter dormancy. * After the blossoms have peaked,
remove the flower heads and allow the green foliage to die back. * Fertilize
in fall and spring.
The botanical name of this popular spring
flower is derived from the Persian word, toliban, turban, when the inverted
flower was supposed to resemble. It does belong to the Lily Family and
grows wild over a great territory from Asia Minor through Siberia to China.
Tulips are very easy to grow. Most gardeners plant their bulbs in November
in full sun. Place your tulips about 6-8” deep in moderately loamy soil
with some humus and sand added. After flowering, allow bulb foliage to
wither before cutting – that way, sap in the foliage returns to the bulb
where it provides added strength for next year.
Care in Lifting… You may choose to lift
your tulips after the foliage has ripened. This is not necessary with hardy
perennial varieties. If you lift, store the bulbs in a dry place during
the summer and replant them next fall in fresh soil – this will reduce
the risk of disease. Each year before replanting, inspect your bulbs for
bruises or cuts that may allow diseases to enter and then spread to other
bulbs. This is essential since an infection of the incurable disease ‘Fire’
(Boyrytis) will require you to burn all your tulips! |
Tulips
Care and Planting Guide
For
Long-Lasting Tulip Arrangements… Cut the stems diagonally. Wrap the entire
flower (head and stem) tightly in newspaper. Place stem in water overnight.
Remove the paper and recut the stems. Transfer the Tulips to a vase with
fresh water and plant food. Add water as needed and keep out of direct
sun and drafts. Enjoy blooms for 7-10 days. 
When
growing your tulips in containers, avoid placing the container in direct
sunshine. The soil needs to remain cool so the bulb doesn¹t prematurely
receive signals that spring has arrived. If the sun warms the soil in the
container too early, the bulb will send up shoot and flower before an adequate
root system has developed. Keeping the soil cool for as long as possible
will encourage the strongest and most expansive root system possible. 
