Another Bulb Killer -- sad.......

17 years ago

I have a similar issue as below in a couple other posts. I had to dig my bulbs today, but I hurried over (less than 10 minutes out of dirt) and replanted them in my raised bed. It has very nice loamy soil and was very wet. It is also well fertilized with organic compost. Do you think I will get blossoms out of them next year if I wait for the very healthy green tops to die down now and re-energize the bulbs.

Here they are: they are not super thick though they look like it, but they are kinda thick:)

Another view: they are in with my slow, slow melons.

{{gwi:17965}}

Last year I didn't know about that process and I cut the greens to the dirt on some other bulbs. Those bulbs came up this year, but did not blossom. I was so sad. These new bulbs blossomed beautifully, but had to be moved. I am just afraid I am working really hard for nothing;)

Thanks for any advice.

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Comments (3)

newyorkrita
17 years ago
I'd worry about your tulips coming back. Your in zone 5 now put them in a raised bed, just made them zone 4. Just how hardy are tulips anyway?
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
17 years ago
Most tulip varieties are really more like annuals than they are perennials, though they will send up foliage in the following years. Do you know what variety they are?

You might read the link below about Perennial Tulips, and there is a link on the page to some Perennial Tulips varieties. I see they are hardy in zones 3-7.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Why Perennial Tulips are Better
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iris_gal
17 years ago
A problem we have here with spring bulbs mixed with summer growing plants is Heat + Water. The perfect combination for rot.

If they are Darwin type tulips, find a spot that receives very little summer water. Put some bonemeal in the soil for future feeding and leave them alone. Should be good soil.

A man a block away had such a display --- I mean masses. I asked him how many he'd planted. He said I didn't plant them!? They'd been there for years and and that particular year the splits had grown large enuf to flower. Now the flowering is down again until more of the 'splits' grow to blooming size again. He gave me some and mine are still just doing foliage (2 years).