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By now everyone knows the colorful spring flowers. Whether outside in the flower bed or as a vase decoration in the apartment, one thing is certain: the tulips radiate a fresh and spring-like atmosphere in the area. You can find useful information about caring for tulips in this article.
A little history of tulips
The tulip plant genus (Tulipa) consists of around 150 different species and originally found its natural home in Iran, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan. In the 13th century, the tulip came to Turkey and was given its current name: the sultans of that time put the colorful flowers in their turbans (= “tulipan”). A beautiful floral arrangement was created. At that time, tulips were among the most valuable plants and only the wealthy upper class had access to them. In the middle of the 16th century, the tulips finally came to western and central Europe. The Netherlands in particular became a center for cultivated bulb plants, which also included tulip cultivation. Even today, more than half of the bulb fields in the Netherlands are planted with the most diverse types of tulips and their hybrids.
The right care for tulips: location, fertilizing, propagation etc.
If you take care of optimal tulip care, then the colorful bell-shaped flowers with their light green leaves, which are up to 30 centimeters long, will also grow on you.
Tulips Location: The spring flower likes it sunny
Because the tulips are now native to many regions, they are also adapted to different climates such as moderate but also cool winters. For this reason, they don't really need to be protected from the cold winter here. Nevertheless, the tulips like it very much in the sun, which is why you should prefer a sunny location in a flower bed. You can also keep it in partial shade, but the plant won't grow as tall here. Of course, you don't have to do without flowering plants in your apartment. Because even in a vase, the tulips make a beautiful table decoration.
Tip: Tulips like to be placed next to other bulbous plants, such as hyacinths or daffodils. You are welcome to plant them together in a flower bed.
Overwinter your tulips
If you have your tulips in a flower bed in the garden, they can usually overwinter there without any problems. The prerequisite is that they are deep enough in the ground so that the frost cannot get to them. If you want to be on the safe side, you can cover them with fir branches. Alternatively, you can dig them up and store them in a cool, dry place (only when all the leaves have dried up). To do this, cut off the leaves and make sure they don't start to rot.
Find the right tulip soil
For good tulip care, it is important that you also choose the right soil for your plant. A nutrient-rich and sandy substrate that has moist properties is suitable here. Tulips like it freshly moist, especially in the spring months, so make sure that the soil is well drained (the water should be able to drain away easily). In contrast, they prefer a rather dry substrate in the summer months. The optimal pH is in the range of 6.0 to 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral).
Watering tulips: spring provides enough water
If you have planted your tulips in the flower bed, you usually do not need to water them. In spring they start to bloom. This is usually always very rainy.You should only water the plants if the soil is really very dry. However, if you grow your spring flowers in a pot or balcony box, you will have to water them more frequently than in the flower bed.
Tip: Always pour directly onto the visible root disc and avoid waterlogging, otherwise it will rot.
Fertilize tulips: Large flowers need a lot of nutrients
Proper care for tulips, like many other plants, also includes regular fertilizing. You can remember a rule of thumb for tulips: the larger the flower of the plant, the higher its nutrient consumption. Even the undemanding spring flowers are grateful for an additional dose of fertilizer. In any case, organic fertilizers such as horn shavings are suitable for adding nutrients to the tulips. You should fertilize the plant in autumn and before flowering in spring.
Cutting tulips: Regular pruning is necessary
To ensure that your tulips bloom just as impressively next year, they should be pruned regularly. You can cut off dried and withered flowers immediately, so that energy is not wasted unnecessarily. When all the flowers are cut back, only the long leaves of the tulip are left. As soon as these start to turn yellow and lose their strength slightly, you should cut them off as well. Because that is a sign that the tulip has already automatically shed its plant parts above the ground for the hibernation and thus only the plant bulb remains.
Repotting tulips: Relocating the plants without any problems
Early summer is a good time for repotting or transplanting the tulip. Because at this time it means less stress for the flower bulb. With the help of a small hand shovel you can dig about 30 to 35 centimeters under the tulip so that you do not damage the deep roots of the plants if possible. After you have removed the soil and any rotten roots, it is best to place the tuber in a dry, cool and dark cellar. Immediate replanting is not recommended in the summer months.
Tip: Put the onion bulb in a box that you fill with sand or peat dust and make sure that the air in the room always circulates well.
After the tubers have spent the summer months in the cellar, they can be planted again in fresh soil in autumn. You should plant them 15 to 20 centimeters apart in humus-rich, sandy-loamy soil. The depth of the hole should be three times the height of the bulb. As you can see, the right repotting when caring for tulips must be skillful, because only then can they shine in their bright colors.
Propagating tulips with the help of daughter bulbs
If you do everything right when caring for your tulips, your plant may develop small daughter bulbs in spring or summer that are ideal for propagation. In autumn you can carefully remove the small bulb bulbs from the mother bulb and replant them in a spot of your choice. Of course, the same site conditions should prevail there as with the mother plant. In no time at all you have a whole family of tulips that decorates your flower bed.
Is the tulip poisonous?
As beautiful as the tulips look, unfortunately they are among the poisonous plants. All parts of the plant (stem, bulb, flowers and leaves) are inedible and poisonous. For people who have particularly sensitive skin, skin contact can already lead to itching and redness.If parts of the plant are consumed excessively by babies, dogs or cats, for example, this can quickly lead to abdominal pain or vomiting
Tips for a real tulip bloom
If you want to have beautiful tulip blossoms in your garden or on your balcony, check your plants regularly for snail infestation. They particularly like to eat the tulip leaves. Rotting caused by excessive watering is also a common mistake in the care of flower bulbs. So it's better to wait before watering than watering too much.
Find your personal plant
With these tips, you really can't go wrong with the easy-care spring flowers. Regardless of whether you care for them outside in the garden or have them as cut flowers in a vase in your apartment, you may still be missing the right flowering or evergreen plant for your tulips. In our range you will find numerous suggestions on how to transform your kingdom into a plant kingdom!
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