Questions on Tulips...

There have been a lot of questions about tulips coming recently about growing tulips, and for good reason.

There is so much shown lately about growing tulips in egg crate format to fit literally 1000's of tulips in a small space to give a Holland inspired WOW factor. 

But all these inspirational posts can lead to big confusion for the home gardener. Here is why...

Most home gardeners have planted small clusters of bulbs in the winter. They get to enjoy the beautiful symbol of hope in the Spring when not much has woken up yet in their garden. The traditional gardener will then leave the flowers in the garden and let the foliage die back naturally and the tulips are a bit forgotten until the following year when they bloom again. 

Under these circumstances, tulips are a bit of a perennial bloomer. Plant them as directed 6" deep and 3"-4" away from any other plants, bulbs or roots.  You may need to divide the bulbs in a few years but you can bet they will give you several years of flowers just like daffodils.

Pretty straight forward...
Until recently...

The confusion began in about 2018 when more Americans began growing tulips for cut flower production. 

When tulips are being grown to be used as a cut flower, those bulbs don't need any space to multiply because they are being pulled right out of the ground before they are even in full bloom. 

That is right. The flower, foliage, and bulb and pulled rather than cut. 

Many ask, can I just cut the foliage and flowers and leave the bulb to continue to grow? 

Nope. That bulb will not create a new flower without the foliage to regenerate that bloom, stem and strength to produce it. 

In this situation, the bub needs to be treated like an annual. One bulb = One flower. 

This is why the cut flower industry is showing all the bulbs planted so close together.

I hope this clears things up for you a bit. But you are always welcome to email me you questions.

Best Blessings,
Ella