Tulips..???
Question:I planted tulips and they flowered and now they are dead for the season. do they flower again?? How do I care for them now? Can I till the earth around them??
Answers:
First, no they will nor flower again this year.
Secend,
Do not do anyhting with them now - both the previous answers are completely wrong!
1) Tulips are perrenials that require a cold period of several months in order to rebloom. They will die back on their own and go dormant for the winter. In order to do this they MUST store energy. The yget this energy through their leaves, so do not cut the green leaves! They will die off on thier own once the bulbs have stored enough energy for next year.
2) Do not dig them up - the idea that a tulip bulb cannot survive the cold is rediculous. In fact, if they do not go through a cold period, they will not rebloom next year - the advice to dig them up is the perfect way to ensure they do nothing next year.
Just leave them be and they will come back next year just fine.
Cut the dead stocks down to the ground. Does it freeze where you live? If so leave them in the ground, they need a good freeze to go dormant. If you don't get a good freeze where you live then dig up the bulbs and put them in a freezer bag in your freezer for a few months but be sure to dry them out on the ground for a week or so first.
Good luck!
Urbanbulldogge has given you a great answer.
More information:
Tulips originate from the mountain slopes of Turkey. The growing conditions change from very cold in the winter months to plenty of water during the Spring to being baked in the summer months. The closer you can replicate these conditions the greater success you will have. Zones 4-8 are the most ideal for tulips although zones 7-8 may not get cold enough.
Tulips will thrive in almost any type of soil where there is reasonable drainage. You can help this by putting 2-3" of sand in the bottom when you plant. During the growing season they like plenty of moisture but the roots must not stand in water. Be careful not to feed tulips during the growing season as this will produce 'leggy' plants. Plant from October until late December 4 inches deep and approximately 5 to 6 inches apart.
After Flowering remove flower heads (deadheading) and let the plant die back before removing. This allows the food supply in the plant to swell and feed the main bulblet that will produce next years flower.
It is important with tulips that all the dead foliage and petals are removed and not composted. Tulip plants can leave a disease, 'tulip fire' as they die off in late Spring.
If you do till be very careful not to damage or disturb the bulbs. I prefer to work the soil around my bulbs with a hand trowel and plant annuals near the bulbs for summer color.
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