Favorable days for digging up tulip bulbs in 2020 and storage methods

Experienced gardeners know when to dig up tulips and store them until planting in the fall. However, beginners often make mistakes when performing this procedure. Therefore, it's important to listen to experts who advise on the timing of bulb harvesting and storage rules, not just in 2020.

Do tulips need to be dug up?

Gardeners new to growing tulips often question the wisdom of digging up the bulbs after the growing season. Most believe this procedure is unnecessary. However, leaving the plants in the ground will cause them to burrow deeper and deeper each year. This will make it more difficult for the shoots to emerge. As a result, the bulbs will rot, leaving no bulblets.

There's another reason why tulips need to be dug up. Once the dormant period has finished blooming, a new flower stalk should form. The main requirement is that the bulbs' temperature should not drop below 25°C.

The following advantages speak in favor of digging:

• the bulb contains more nutrients if it does not have any babies;
• If the seed material is not dug up, it becomes crushed, degenerates and becomes buried deep, so the sprouts cannot break through;
• without digging, the plantings will become denser, there will be a lack of nutrition, and therefore the decorative qualities will decrease;
• the characteristics of the variety are preserved, flowering becomes better;
• it is possible to get rid of low-quality bulbs;
• if you leave the rhizome in the ground, it will become the target of attacks by parasites and infectious diseases;
• You can transplant it to another place.

Therefore, to enjoy a beautiful flowerbed every year, you should dig up the bulbs regularly.

Timing of harvesting tubers

The exact date when it is necessary dig up tulips In 2020 and beyond, no. But there's one rule: this should be done after flowering. It's also important to consider the region where the crop grows. For example, in the south of the country, the procedure can be carried out as early as June, while in the central part of the country, it can be done in mid-summer.

The main thing to look for is the condition of the flowers and the color of the leaves after the growing season. In other words, if the leaves have yellowed and wilted, the bulb has already formed. Therefore, it's time to dig it up.

Another important aspect is the color of the rhizome's outer scales. If the rhizome is ripe, the outer scales are brown.

If the seed is removed prematurely, it won't have time to accumulate the necessary nutrients, which will affect the development of the plant itself. If the gardener misses this time, the stems and leaves will dry out and fall off, making it difficult to find the bulb. Furthermore, digging it up this way can damage it.

The procedure must be carried out carefully. It's best to use a pitchfork, as a shovel can damage the rhizome. Digging should be done on a dry, cool day.

How to prepare bulbs for storage

After digging, the rhizomes must be dried outdoors, but in the shade. Drying time depends directly on the soil type they were dug from. If the soil was dry, 2 to 5 days will suffice, while if it was damp, 2 weeks may be needed.

After the bulbs have dried, they need to:

• clear from soil;
• get rid of the covering scales, which are easily separated - if you do this forcibly, the tissue can be damaged and an infection can occur;
• tear off old dried roots;
• Sort the rhizomes by size - this procedure is important, since the depth to which the planting material will be planted depends on this parameter of the planting material.

These events will help save tulip bulbs until autumn, when they need to be planted in open ground for the winter.

Storage methods

Prepared and sorted rhizomes should be stored in containers that allow free air circulation. Suitable containers include wooden crates, plastic containers, egg crates, and sturdy cardboard boxes with pre-drilled holes.

The bulbs should be arranged in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch each other. To prevent the development of infectious diseases, the boxes should be aired weekly. If the first signs of disease appear, the affected area, provided it's not large, should be cut off with a sharp knife and then sprinkled with ash or treated with hydrogen peroxide. If the affected area is large, the bulb should be removed.

If you can't plant flower rhizomes before fall, there are various ways to store them. The key to winter storage is stratification. If you neglect this, flowers won't appear after planting.

The most popular methods for preserving bulbs:

1. Wet germination. This involves placing damp sawdust or high-moor peat in a plastic container. Place the planting material on top and sprinkle lightly with substrate. Store in a cellar. If tulip bulbs are germinated this way, they will bloom at their usual time.
2. Dry storage. If you have a small number of rhizomes, you can store them in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator before planting. Wrap each one in paper. A basement also offers optimal storage conditions. However, it's important to cover the bulbs with sand or dry sawdust. Spring-planted bulbs begin blooming later.
3. Early forcing. This method is suitable if there's a risk that the tulip won't survive the usual method. It involves planting the bulbs in containers with garden soil. They can be stored on a balcony or veranda until the first frost, then covered with plastic and lowered into the basement. Ventilate the bulbs every 14 days, and water them as the soil dries out. As soon as the first shoots emerge, expose the containers to light.

But even if proper cultivation and care are ensured, there is still a high risk that the planting material will not survive until the next planting. Therefore, it is important to adhere to the deadlines and not make mistakes. bulbs for winter storage.

Storage locations

The sorted and cleaned rhizomes should be placed in a dry, warm, and well-ventilated area. This could be an attic, a shed, or a summer house. They will be stored there at a temperature of 25 to 28°C until planting in the fall.

In urban areas, bulbs can be stored on the balcony. However, direct sunlight should be avoided. Keeping the boxes on a windowsill is acceptable. In country houses, tulips are often stored in the attic. However, they should be placed in a location that prevents rodent access.

Conditions for tulips

If tulips are intended for autumn planting, the storage temperature should be 23-25°C above zero at the beginning of storage, and before planting the bulbs, this figure should be reduced to 15°C above zero.

Humidity levels should be optimal—60-70%. If they are lower, the fleshy rhizome shells will shrivel, so ventilation and protection from direct sunlight are essential.

If there's too much, it will cause premature germination and the proliferation of putrefactive microorganisms. The storage area must be well ventilated.

Potential difficulties

Even if everything is done correctly, problems can arise when harvesting and storing tulip bulbs. Both novice and experienced gardeners encounter these problems. To avoid them, it's important to understand the causes of these problems.

1. When digging up tubers, handle them carefully. If damaged, they will become weak and increase the risk of fungal growth.
2. When using a cardboard box, mold may appear, which will spread to the rhizomes.
3. If the bulbs are laid out in one layer, they will begin to rot and disappear.
4. Failure to maintain the correct temperature will result in the death of the planting material. The optimal temperature is no higher than 25°C.

If you avoid such mistakes, tulip bulbs will preserve well and will delight you with beautiful flowers after planting.

When growing this crop, gardeners need to know when to dig up the tubers and how to store them. By following these guidelines, the garden will be ablaze with vibrant colors in the spring, and the scent of tulips will leave no one indifferent.