How well the care of faded tulips is organized directly determines the quality of their flowering in the next season. Therefore, experienced gardeners strongly advise not to throw away plants immediately after the petals have fallen. How to act correctly, told the author of the blog “Sadoezh” (12+).
Removing the peduncle
As soon as the petals fall off, the peduncle along with the seed pod is immediately cut off. If this is not done, the plant will continue to waste resources on ripening seeds, and this is a serious waste of nutrients. Leaves should absolutely not be touched, even if they no longer look very beautiful and neat.
Moderate watering
For two to three weeks after the flowers have fallen, the most important processes continue inside the bulb: a replacement bulb is formed, a future bud is formed, carbohydrates and nutrients accumulate. Without sufficient moisture, all these processes are slow and poor.
“Of course, you shouldn’t overwater tulips that have spent their time. But you should definitely water them moderately if the weather is dry and hot. The soil should be wet to the depth of the bulbs,” the author shares.
If the soil on the site is sandy, you will have to water more often.
Feeding with phosphorus and potassium
The main components of May or June feeding for tulips are potassium and phosphorus. The easiest way is to feed plants with potassium monophosphate (10–15 grams per 10 liters of water). An alternative option is wood ash (one glass per 10 liters of water or dry).
Proper storage of bulbs
The most important thing here is storage temperature. The first month after digging the bulbs should be kept at a temperature of +22…+25C. Because even after digging, the processes inside the bulbs do not stop instantly: inside the replacement bulb, the organs of the future bud are laid for several more weeks. And for this process to proceed normally, heat is necessary.
In cool weather this process is disrupted. And then next year the tulips either don’t bloom at all or bloom weakly, producing small and deformed buds. Therefore, for the sake of abundant flowering in the next season, the bulbs must be kept warm in the first month after digging.
Previously, we told you how to feed onions so that the heads are as big as your fist.
