Are you sure it is not deer. I've had deer do what you described to certain types of tulips I have. Not all types, just certain ones. I found deer repellant sold at Home Depot works well. Every year they get a different brand so I have tried a few different ones and they all have worked.

Hope this helps,

Jim

No, it's definitely not deer. We don't have them in this neighborhood. We used to have a groundhog a few years ago, but I don't think there's enough destruction in the yard for this to be a groundhog.

I was thinking about putting out some cayenne pepper/talcum powder mix to see if that would keep them away. Has anyone tried that before?

I've tried the cayenne pepper but it always seemed to rain soon afterwards. The stuff HD is selling this year is called Deer Off and is also a squirrel repellant. Might be worth a try.

Jim

Thanks -- I'll give that a try. I now have confirmation that it's the squirrels, by the way. I just saw one of the little buggers take the last two flowers. Sigh...

Most of the leaves of my Tulips were chewed up as soon as they came up. I've seen rabbits around and a groundhog. I bet is also squirrels. That just makes me so mad. A lot of stuff of mine is eaten up already. I hate it!!!!!!

Yes, the squirrels will knock off the tulip bloom, just before they're ready to pick. GGGRRRRR! They do it just to be nasty, because the tulip flower is left lying on the ground. They don't eat them, at least they don't in my garden.

It is definitely squirrels. I have seen it with my own eyes. They just break off the flower and scamper away! I have refused to plant tulips because of that, but I just saw a beautiful display in one of the neighbors yards and just ordered 70 bulbs from Brecks! Hope I find a good cure before next year to save the blooms from being destroyed.

I am happy to report that I applied Deer Off to the tulips and other plants, and it has worked beautifully. I returned from a business trip yesterday to find my one remaining tulip in full bloom and one remaining allium budding. So even last week's rain didn't wash that stuff off.

Thanks for the tip, Jim!

Ann