Duplicate post https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/6250189/tulip-advice-please#n=3

Consensus seems to be that they will not flower this year.

Many (most) tulip varieties are one and done types. While there are some that come back and bloom year after year, yours might be one of those that will never bloom again.

Almost all my tulips come back and bloom unless the bunnies and other critters eat them first ... bunnies (and deer) chomp the tops; you can recognize their work from a flowerless number and leaves with tops chewed off (or chewed to the ground). Voles and such will eat the bulb itself; they like the red first, but they'll eat the rest the next year given the chance; their work will just cause the tulip to have vanished, no leaves either. I'm not talking any special tulips: grocery store plant, CVS plant that I bought on sale, big box planter (usually mixed bulbs ... daffodils defend tulips somewhat), big box bulbs (least reliable in general), nursery bulbs (regular or botanical - botanical seem less popular amongst critters). @laceyvail 6A, WV, I'm surprised yours don't come back, as you're in a similar zone to me, so should have adequate chill (I would think anything over 1000 chill hours would be equivalent)... maybe it's the growing climate rather than the dormancy climate causing your issue ... or your critters are even more efficient.

As pointed out in the other thread, though, there are no visible buds, and leaves that size would usually have some ... so either they weren't going to bloom or got snacked upon.

Ris, where in the world are you? Are these tulips you've had for years? new this year? new last year? Maybe we can try to figure out why there are no buds ...

This was not a comment on my tulips, in fact I don't grow tulips at all, mostly because voles were a serious problem in my old place. Years ago my favorites were the species tulips. However my comment is based on common botanical knowledge. A quick google will provide lots of info. This is just one site's comment:

Technically all tulips should be perennial. However years and year of hybridizing, not to mention the fact that our North American conditions do not align with those where tulips originate, means that for some types, the bloom reliability will wane. Also, there are many tulips that have been bred for the cut flower industry. The focus for those has been on producing one big beautiful bloom on a strong stem. Grow once, dig up the bulbs and start over next year.

A pretty adequate, non technical discussion of the issue: https://savvygardening.com/perennial-tulips/

what lacey said ...

i didnt believe it either.. but then i moved out here.. and have at least 10 feet of sand .... which apparently the deeper bulbs dont like ... crocii and the like dont mind.. but tulips and hyacinths just seem to peter out over 2 to 3 years ..

i presume its a water issue at depth ... the shallow ones getting enough moisture.. but those lower.. just drying up and shriveling...

back in suburbia.. with nice rich humus soil.. tulips came back all the time ...

ken

Species and the old fashioned simple Darwins are much more likely to reflower than more higly bred varieties.