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Tulips have become an integral part of parks and gardens. Tulip bulbs should be stored and overwintered properly so that they can bloom again every year.
Tulips of all colors bloom every year between March and May. Most varieties are perennial and can be overwintered. Check out this article for the best tips and tricks.
Which tulip bulbs are perennial?
Almost all of our tulips are perennials, although the individual tulip bulbs are annual. But how does it come about that the tulip blossoms reappear every year?
In summer, under optimal conditions, the mother bulb develops a daughter bulb and then dies. The daughter bulb is a genetically identical copy of the mother bulb and flowers the following year. Only varieties that are sensitive to frost are annuals here if they are not overwintered a little warmer. The hardiest varieties include Darwin Tulips, Vidiflora Tulips and Wild Tulips. Lily-flowered tulips are also extremely robust.
In addition to the variety, the location and care also determine whether the tulip blooms will return. The place should be sunny, warm and not overgrown. Tulips in pots are particularly vulnerable to frost, as the soil can freeze completely. In addition, shady areas and, above all, waterlogging shorten the lifespan of the bulbs.
Tulips, which can be bought cheaply in spring as ornamental plants, are usually more susceptible than those from specialized perennial nurseries due to the way they are cultivated. With the latter, with the right care and choice of location, you can be sure that the beautiful plants will bloom again every year - but their price is a bit higher for that.
Dig up and store tulip bulbs
Tulip bulbs must be dug up and stored for the summer. However, this is not necessary for overwintering, because the bulbs suitable as garden tulips are hardy.
Tip: Also on optimal tulip sites,so on well drained, loose soil and in full sun, the quality of the daughter bulb will decrease from year to year until the plant finally disappears.
Wintering Tulip Bulbs
Tulip bulbs can be overwintered in the garden soil or in containers at temperatures as low as -23°C. They must not be stored indoors, as they need a cold stimulus for flowering and temperatures that are too warm cause budding too early.
Wintering in the garden ground
To overwinter tulip bulbs, leave them in the garden soil. They can be protected from frost with leaves or fir branches.
Wintering in buckets
If the tulip bulbs are overwintered in pots or balcony boxes, it is important to keep them away from frost. However, since the bulbs need a cold stimulus to flower, they must not be overwintered indoors. The pot or balcony box should first be covered with fleece and then placed on a polystyrene board or block of wood in front of a protective south wall of the house. This will keep the bulbs warm enough to avoid frost damage. Alternatively, bury the entire pot or box in the ground and mark the spot. You can then get it out again in the spring.
Tulip bulbs in spring:
Tulips form their beautiful flowers during spring. They draw their nutrients from the mother bulb. At the same time, a new daughter bulb forms on the mother bulb, which needs to be supplied with water and nutrients. Therefore, fertilization and a regular water supply are very important during this time.
You can apply a small dose of primarily organic fertiliser, such as our Plantura organic flower fertiliser, to nutrient-poor locations as a precaution when budding begins. This naturally works slowly and thus prevents over-fertilization.
Tulip bulbs over summer
Once the daughter bulb has developed, the foliage will wither - it is better to cut it off. The bulbs are then dug up, cleaned and have to be oversummered. Oversummer is important so that a miniature tulip can develop inside the daughter bulb.
tulip bulbs areunfortunately susceptible to rot and pests if forced to spend the summer in moist, compacted, clayey soil or in cool shade. In addition, the daughter bulb cannot develop well in the soil, because tulips originally come from warmer countries. In this country, the ground cannot heat up as much as would be appropriate for the young tulip bulbs. So digging up and summering is essential for us if you want to see beautiful tulips blooming every year.
Once the foliage has completely yellowed and cut off, the bulbs can be carefully dug up. A digging fork or a spade is suitable for this. The bulbs have completely changed their appearance since they were planted: the old brown husks of the mother bulb are now on the outside.If these are removed, the new daughter bulb is revealed inside. This daughter bulb can be oversummer so that it forms new flowers in the following year. If there are also other smaller tulip bulbs on the shell, you can dispose of them with a clear conscience. They are not strong enough and would sap energy from the largest onion. You can then store the tulip bulbs and keep them over the summer.
So that the daughter bulb can create a mini tulip inside during the summer months, it needs storage temperatures of around 20 °C. The more airy the onions are stored, the better they keep. Wooden boxes lined with paper are suitable for storing the tulip bulbs. But they can also be laid out on a metal grid or stored in a box with sand. Alternatively, you also have the option of hanging them up in nets. Rotten and moldy onions should be discarded regularly. The tulip bulbs are stored until mid-October, when they are planted back in the garden or in a container.
Tip: Label the boxes with the variety name and flower color - this way you can correctly identify the tulip bulbs in autumn.
In autumn, the bulbs are planted 15 to 20 centimeters apart in airy, humus-rich soil. In addition to these necessary properties, our Plantura organic potting soil, which promotes he althy soil life thanks to its high compost content, is also suitable for planting in tubs. You can find out how to insert the tulip bulbs in our special article.
Hint:You can still plant the bulbs after October. However, be aware that the ground will eventually freeze, making digging difficult.
You can find an overview of other beautiful spring plants in our article on early bloomers.