Key Management Points and Care Methods for Tulips at the Bud Stage
1. Temperature
When 4 to 5 leaves have fully unfolded and a tender young flower stem is emerging from the center, the temperature can be raised to 22-24ºC. At 8 a.m., 13-15℃; at 2 p.m., 22-24℃; at 5 p.m., 16-18℃.
2. Water
Do not water onto the flower buds, to prevent the buds from rotting. Keep air humidity above 70%. Therefore, not only should water be sprayed frequently on the plants and inside the flower pots, but water should also be sprayed frequently on the ground all around the flower pots and throughout the site. Place water containers in the growing area so that water continually evaporates into the air, in order to maintain air humidity.
3. Light
When the flower buds begin to color, move the flower pots or other growing containers to a cooler, shadier place, or provide slight shading. This can prolong the flowering period and make the flower stems firm and the flower colors vivid. Strong, blazing sunlight tends to shorten the flowering period and cause the flower colors to fade too early.
4. Fertilizing
After the true leaves have unfolded and the flower buds first appear, apply a topdressing of trace elements once. The amount, concentration and method are as follows:
Take 100 g each of calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate, 60 g of magnesium nitrate, 1 g of iron sulfate, 0.5 g of copper sulfate, 0.5 g each of boric acid and zinc sulfate, 0.4 g of manganese sulfate, and 0.1 g of sodium molybdate or ammonium molybdate, mix and dissolve them in 10000 ml of water. After all the trace elements have completely dissolved, this becomes the stock solution, which should be stored for later use. When using, dilute the stock solution with water by 10 times. Use a sprayer to spray the solution evenly on the stems and leaves. The amount used per mu is 50000 ml. Apply on cloudy days or in the morning or evening. Do not spray before rain or when sunlight is strong. When sunlight is good, 5 to 6 hours after spraying, spray once more with clean water. If forcing cultivation is carried out in a greenhouse or plastic tunnel, before spraying the trace elements, try to raise the air temperature first, then spray. Experience has shown that the absorption rate of foliar feeding of tulips indoors is positively correlated with the temperature. In order to make the nutrient solution contact the leaf surface well, adding a small amount of soap solution, or diluted woodworking glue, or potato starch solution to the prepared trace element solution can all achieve the expected result.
At the early bud stage, use 250 g of potassium nitrate or 1000 g of plant ash, add 100000 ml of water, dissolve and filter, then apply directly to the soil.