How to grow tulips? A complete guide to the latest cultivation methods
The tulip is a perennial bulbous flower of the genus Tulipa in the family Liliaceae. Everyone is familiar with it; it is generally planted to form overall blocks of color for people to admire. Medium and dwarf tulip varieties can be grown in pots. Because of its elegant appearance and pure flower colors, it is deeply loved by people and is an important early-spring ornamental garden flower. But many people do not know how to grow tulips, so let us take a look together below!
How to choose tulip bulbs
1. Choose large bulbs of a pure variety, free of pests and diseases, and free of damage, because bulbs are required to have a circumference of more than 8 cm. Bulbs of 6 cm will not bloom, and 6-8 cm gives no guarantee of blooming. Bulbs are divided into four grades by circumference: grade one is above 12 cm (diameter above 3.8 cm), grade two is 11-12 cm (3.5-3.8 cm), grade three is 10-11 cm (3.2-3.5 cm), and below 10 cm (below 3.2 cm) is substandard.
2. A dark bulb skin color indicates a red variety, while a light color indicates pale yellow or white. You should also ask clearly whether they are imported bulbs or domestically produced bulbs, and whether they are room-temperature bulbs or low-temperature bulbs. Room-temperature bulbs are bulbs that have not undergone low-temperature treatment; after planting they go through a natural low-temperature period, and the flowering period is from mid-to-late March to early April.
How to plant tulip bulbs
1. Low-temperature treatment: Place the bulbs in a refrigerator at 4°C-9°C for cold storage, then take them out to plant after two months, or plant them directly in a pot and place it in the refrigerator. Prepare a flower box about 70 cm long or a 5-inch flower pot.
2. Soil choice: It is best to use peat soil entirely.
3. Planting density: A long flower box can hold two rows of five bulbs each, planted with a spacing of 8 cm between each bulb, while a 5-inch pot can hold three bulbs.
4. Planting method: When planting, face the pointed, protruding part of the bulb upward, and plant the flatter side facing the same direction, so that the leaves grow in a neat direction and the leaves are also more attractive. After planting the bulbs, cover the surface with soil and level it, use slow-release fertilizers such as Osmocote and Magic Fertilizer as base fertilizer, and water thoroughly.
Tulip care and management methods
1. Soil: Tulips require planting soil that both retains water and drains well, with salinity that is not too high and that is not too acidic. The pH value should be no less than 6. Using a mix of peat, decomposed soil and sand at 1:1:1 as the growing medium gives better results.
2. Sunlight: Sufficient sunlight is essential for tulip growth. Insufficient light will cause poor plant growth, flower bud drop, weakened plants, paler leaf color and a shortened flowering period. However, within more than half a month after potting, tulips should be appropriately shaded to help the bulbs develop new roots. In addition, when sprouting, the elongation of flower buds is inhibited by light; after shading, the elongation of flower buds can be promoted, preventing excessive early vegetative growth and spindly growth. After emergence, light should be increased to promote stem elongation, flower bud formation and coloring. In the later stage, after the flower buds are fully colored, direct sunlight should be avoided to prolong the flowering time.
3. Temperature: Tulips prefer a warm winter and a cool summer, with an optimum growing temperature of 9-13°C. They are highly cold-resistant and can withstand low temperatures of -35°C in winter.
4. Watering: After planting, water thoroughly so that the soil and bulbs can fully bind closely together, which helps rooting. After sprouting, watering should be appropriately controlled. When the leaves gradually extend, water can be sprayed on the leaf surface to increase air humidity. During the flower stalk stage and the bud stage, a sufficient water supply must be ensured to promote full flower development. After flowering, watering should be appropriately controlled.
5. Fertilizing: Tulips do not have high fertilizer requirements. If growth is weak, some nitrogen fertilizer can be applied. After the root system develops well, apply 2 kg of calcium nitrate per 100 square meters, broadcast in three applications with an interval of more than one week each time.
6. Pests and diseases: The pathogens of tulip pests and diseases can be carried by the bulbs, or the bulbs can be infected by pathogens carried in the soil. They mostly occur in high-temperature and high-humidity environments. The main diseases include stem rot, soft rot, color breaking, damping-off and blind buds, while the main pest is aphids. Before planting, fully disinfect the soil, and choose virus-free bulbs for cultivation as much as possible. If diseased plants are found, dig them out promptly and destroy them. During greenhouse growth, applying fungicide 1-2 times gives better results. Maintain good ventilation to prevent high temperature and high humidity. When aphids occur, they can be sprayed and killed with 3% natural pyrethrum at 800 times dilution.