How to grow potted tulips? Home flower-growing methods and tips

Tulips are perennial bulbous herbaceous plants. Native to the Tibet-Xinjiang region, their flower colors are vivid, and they are the national flower of Turkey, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands and other countries. In Li Bai's poem it is written that “with fine wine of Lanling and tulips, amber light is served in jade bowls”; now they are hailed as the queen of flowers worldwide, becoming a symbol of fashion and internationalization. Below is an introduction to home flower-growing tips: methods for potted tulips.

1. Soil

Tulips relatively prefer fertile soil; the soil should both retain moisture and allow air through, and is best a slightly alkaline, fairly loose sandy soil. Mix rotted leaves and organic fertilizer such as dried chicken manure into the soil. A few days before planting, be sure to keep the soil loose and ensure sufficient moisture. After the bulbs sprout, you can apply liquid fertilizer to the soil once or twice. Take care to keep the soil moist, but do not let water stand.

2. Watering

When watering tulips, note that water requirements differ greatly at different stages. Try to choose morning for watering. Right after planting, water thoroughly, so that the soil and bulbs bind closely together and root easily; within one week, sufficient moisture should be maintained. During the flowering period, water demand increases, so water should be increased accordingly. After the flowers fade, in the stage when bulbs grow, water can be reduced. Note that when watering you can choose a spraying method, and try not to let water accumulate in the flowerpot.

3. Temperature

Tulips like warm winters and cool summers, but they are good at dealing with cold; even at more than 30 degrees below zero they can survive. Conversely, if the temperature is too high, it will instead inhibit their growth and cause the flowers to decline. However, the most suitable temperature for tulip growth is between 16~18 degrees. They only begin to grow when the temperature reaches about 8 degrees. Generally, in the case of potted planting, the temperature conditions at home can basically meet the requirements.

4. Pest and disease control

The main insect pests of tulips are aphids and root mites; when pest problems occur, corresponding insecticides can be chosen for spraying. Its diseases mainly manifest as stem rot, soft rot, damping-off, color-breaking disease and blind bud disease, etc. Prevention of pests and diseases is very important; when planting, the soil should be disinfected, and healthy bulbs free of pests and diseases should be chosen for planting. If diseased plants are found later, they should be resolutely dug out and destroyed. At ordinary times, take care to maintain ventilation and suitable temperature.