Tulip Growing Tips

When to plant. The best time to plant tulips is in autumn, from mid-October until December. Nature often shows us the right moment: when tree leaves have turned color and begin to fall, it’s time to plant tulips. It’s better to plant later than too early, as the soil needs to be cool enough. Ideally, soil temperature should stay at 9 °C or lower for a couple of weeks.

Site and soil. Tulips need a sunny, sheltered spot. For best results, make sure they get at least 6 hours of direct sun in spring. The soil should be well-drained and not heavy clay. Improve it with compost, humus, or well-rotted manure. Tulips grow best in neutral to slightly alkaline soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0.

Planting. Bulbs are planted 3–4 bulb depths deep, about 10–15 cm. In light, sandy soils plant deeper (around 15 cm), in heavier soils slightly shallower (around 10 cm). Space bulbs about 10 cm apart. Water well after planting. Tulips can be planted directly in beds, in special bulb baskets, or even grown in pots.

Care. If the soil is dry, water regularly. Stop watering in winter and resume in spring. If the soil was enriched with fertilizer during autumn planting, no further feeding is needed. Otherwise, feed in spring several times: when shoots appear, at bud formation, and during flowering. The best fertilizer is one rich in potassium and phosphorus, with only minimal nitrogen.

Pests and diseases. Tulips can be affected by diseases and pests, most commonly grey mold (Botrytis), which develops in overly wet soil. Choosing a well-drained site is the best prevention.

Lifting and storage. Once flowers fade, remove the heads so seed formation does not weaken the bulb. When foliage has completely withered (usually late June to early July), lift the bulbs. Spread them on paper in a dry, airy room to cure for a few days. Then store in a thin layer in cardboard boxes, in a cool, dry place. Protect from mice and rats.