When to dig up tulips after flowering and when to plant them

Tulips are loved not only in Holland, where fields of these vibrant flowers are known to abound, but also in Russia. In our country, many people cultivate seedlings of these beautiful bulbous plants. Those new to tulip cultivation often ask the following questions:

— What time should I plant the bulbs?

— Where should I start planting tulip seedlings?

— At what depth in the soil should the bulbs be buried?

— What measures should be taken to ensure that seedlings do not freeze in winter and sprout beautifully in spring?

It's important to handle the bulbs with special care, as they contain all the organs that will produce beautiful flowers. It's important to understand in advance when to dig up tulips after flowering and when to plant them, so as not to be disappointed later by unsuccessful seedlings or less-than-perfect flowers that don't live up to expectations.

Many garden plants are planted in the spring, but tulips are typically planted in the fall. This is because they bloom after the snow has melted. Their blooming period is short, and with the onset of hot weather, they begin to fade. However, the flowers don't die completely—all their energy is transferred to the bulbs in the soil, where new flowers subsequently form. It is during the fall and winter that the most active development occurs in the bulbs. This is not surprising, as all development occurs thanks to natural cooling, without which no bulbous plant can bloom.

Based on the above, it's clear that all experienced gardeners and novice amateurs for whom seedlings are simply a hobby plant tulips in the autumn months. However, they should never be planted in early or late autumn, to avoid unpleasant situations such as, in the former case, seedlings emerging before frost and late flowering in the latter. The ideal period is from mid-September. During this time, the soil temperature at a depth of 15 centimeters remains at 10 degrees Celsius.

Where should I start when planting tulips? First, find a special spot in the garden or flowerbed that's rarely shaded. The soil must be fertile, well-drained, and aerated. Choose bulbs that don't look diseased, damaged, or too small. Be sure to peel the bulbs and coat them with potassium permanganate or a special preparation.

Dig small holes in the soil, place the bulbs in them, add a little sand or ash to ensure the seedlings' health, and level the soil with a rake. Ideally, the furrows should be three times the bulb's diameter deep. Ensure that the distance between plantings is at least twice the bulb's diameter.

Autumn typically sees a fair amount of rainfall, but if it's dry, the areas where future tulips are planted should be watered periodically. When frost sets in, the soil should be covered with something (such as dry leaves or straw). With the arrival of spring, when the seedlings should emerge, the soil should be uncovered to allow the tulips to emerge easily. After this miracle of nature has occurred and gardeners have seen beautiful buds, the question arises whether to dig them up or let them continue to grow in the flowerbed. Experienced gardeners know that digging them up is essential. Otherwise, the tulips will lose their beauty and become smaller. This happens because during the summer, several smaller bulbs form in the place of a single bulb, which over time become more crowded. Without digging them up, you may notice years later that the seedlings have become less beautiful.

The question of whether tulips need to be dug up has been answered. But there's still one more question: when should this be done? Should I wait until the last day, when they're completely dry, or when they're just beginning to dry out? The latter option, when the tulips have already begun to turn yellow, is recommended.

What time of year is it common to dig up tulips in Russia? The best time is considered to be from the fourth week of June to mid-July, preferably during dry weather. After digging up the bulbs at the right time, they need to be cared for in preparation for replanting in the fall. Store them in a cool, dry place, protected from sunlight. Experienced gardeners often use enclosed balconies or sheds for this purpose. Before storing, the bulbs should be thoroughly dried for two days, placed in mesh boxes to protect them from spoilage and rot.

If the storage location for future tulips is chosen perfectly, you can rest assured that the planting material will not spoil and will be well preserved until the autumn months, and there will be no diseased or small bulbs in the seedlings. After all, high-quality planting material guarantees the blooming of beautiful, graceful tulips.

For more interesting information on preserving tulips in winter, read this article.