When to dig up tulips after flowering and when to replant them in the ground

Tulips are among the most easy-to-care-for flowers. They delight with their color from the first days of spring. One of the main principles of care is repotting the bulbs. Some varieties require this procedure annually, while others only need to be repotted every few years.

Let's look at when to dig up tulips after flowering and when to plant them, as well as how to do it correctly.

When to dig up tulips

Tulips are planted only from bulbs. There is also a method of propagation by seeds, but these are also used to grow bulbs.

You can tell when a bush is ready for digging by the color of the above-ground part. It should turn about half yellow. It's crucial that the stems and leaves don't start to dry out. Many people wait until this moment, but the bulbs won't be as vigorous and will be much harder to find.

The bulbs are dug up, dried, and stored between mid-June and early August. The timing depends on the variety and weather conditions. We've already discussed how to determine when a tulip is ready for transplanting.

If you have parrot, fringed, green-flowered, and other valuable tulip varieties in your flowerbed, they should be dug up annually. Otherwise, their distinctive features will deteriorate year after year. Single early and late tulips, as well as Kaufman, Greig, Foster, Triumph, and various hybrids, can be repotted every three to six years.

According to the lunar calendar, the ideal days for digging in 2018 are 06/15, 06/16, 07/07, 07/17, 07/18 and 07/31.

How to properly dig up and store tulips after digging

It's recommended to dig up tulip bulbs early in the morning on a dry, sunny day. Make the hole wide to ensure you get not only strong bulbs but also small "baby" bulbs. Don't throw them away. With a little effort, you can harvest them for excellent planting material.

If the nights are hot, the bulbs can be left in the beds until the next morning; if not, it is better to collect them in the evening, sort them, and put them in a well-ventilated shed or at least under a canopy.

After about three to five days, the bulbs should be cleaned of old scales and roots, and any remaining soil should be shaken off. Bulbs are considered healthy if they have light-brown scales, are firm, even, and free of damage, spots, rot, or other defects.

Tulips are stored in a single layer. They will last for approximately 20 days. A temperature of 23°C and humidity of around 80% are considered optimal. These conditions promote the development of strong flower stems, leaves, and root systems.

At low temperatures, this won't happen, and the plant will either die or become so weakened that it won't bloom for several years in a row. Therefore, it's not a good idea to store the bulbs in a cellar or pantry.

As planting time approaches, it's best to reduce the temperature to 15°C and humidity to 70%. This will allow the bulbs to naturally harden off.

When to plant tulips

Small bulblets should be planted in warm soil. This happens around early August or early September, depending on the climate.

But adult plants shouldn't root. For normal development and flowering, they need to overwinter in the ground. This happens in late September or early November. It's acceptable for the soil to be slightly frozen on top. The main thing is that the temperature at a depth of 15 cm should not drop below 10 degrees Celsius.

How to plant tulips

It's best to place the tulip bed in a well-lit area. The soil should be fertile and fairly loose. It's a good idea to fertilize it with humus beforehand.

Before planting, peel each bulb of old husk and dip it in a rich pink solution of potassium permanganate.

Dig a hole 15 cm deep, add eggshells to the bottom for drainage, and then add sand on top. Remove the bulb from the potassium permanganate solution, roll it in wood ash, and place it in the hole. Carefully cover the top with soil. Regarding the distance between holes, follow the growing recommendations for this variety, but most often it's 20-40 cm.

After two weeks, water with warm water. After another two weeks, you can cover the flowerbed with sawdust, fallen leaves, or peat. The cover will also provide additional fertilizer, but don't forget to carefully clear the area around the germinating tulips in the spring.

For anyone planning to replant their tulips this year, we offer one more piece of advice. Although this flower reproduces primarily through bulbs, it expends a significant amount of energy on seed production. To ensure vigorous planting, don't deprive yourself of the beautiful sight of tulips in bloom. Simply carefully remove the flower head three to five days after the flower opens. This won't affect the flowering period in any way, but the bulb will receive several times more strength and energy.
If you're cutting tulips for a bouquet, leave at least three leaves on the stem. This also influences bulb development.

Take note of our simple tips and let the tulips in your flowerbed be the most beautiful!