Here at Floret, we plant tens of thousands of tulips each autumn. You can grow these beautiful spring flowers in a few different ways, depending on whether you just want to add color to your yard or cut a lot of them to use as arrangements. No matter how you plant them, make sure they are in a place that gets full sun and doesn’t have any standing water. Soil that is too wet will let diseases and rot grow.
To flower properly, tulips need at least six weeks of cold weather. If you don’t live somewhere that freezes in the winter, you’ll need to order bulbs that have already been chilled.
In the garden, tulips make the most impact when planted en masse. For a real show, I recommend ditching the bulb planter, instead planting clumps of at least 10 bulbs. Just make a big circle in the ground about 6 inches (15 cm) deep, add some organic bulb fertilizer and compost, and then plant your bulbs about three times as deep as they are tall.
Tulips can be planted quite close, less than 1 in (2. 5 cm) from each other, similar to eggs in a carton. Once your bulbs are in place, give them a lot of water and fill in the hole with the soil you took out earlier. Add 1 to 2 in (2. 5 to 5 cm) of compost on top to act as a mulch. Be sure to insert some type of stake so you remember where you planted them.
Bulbs can also be planted in pots. Remember that bigger is always better when picking a pot because they hold more bulbs and don’t dry out as quickly. Tulips can be planted quite densely in pots, similar to eggs in a carton.
To grow tulips solely for cutting, plant them in a wide trench. To use the trench method, dig a hole that is 3 feet (1 m) wide and 6 inches (15 cm) deep. Pile all the dirt to one side. Add a small amount of organic bulb fertilizer to the trench and smooth out the bottom of the trench at the same time. Place the bulbs, pointed side up, close but not touching. Label each individual variety as you go.
Once the bulbs are in the ground, give them a lot of water, making sure the trench is at least halfway full. This will help the roots grow quickly, which will lead to even bigger flowers. Backfill the trench, mulch the top with 1 to 2 in (2. 5 to 5 cm) of compost and set up irrigation lines. During the winter, water deeply a few times. It’s really quite simple!.
You can also grow tulips in bulb crates and make them flower in a heated greenhouse during the winter. However, this technique requires prechilled bulbs and quite a bit of precision. To be honest, we’re still trying to master the art ourselves. Once I get it figured out, I’ll be sure to share our secrets.
For the best vase life, pick the flowers while they are still in buds and the outer petals only have a hint of color.
We harvest our tulips as annuals at Floret, which means we pull up the whole plant, bulb and all. This gives us maximum stem length, extended storage, and a long vase life. As long as the bulbs are still on, tulips can stay dry in the cooler for two weeks because they are still linked to their food source. We cut off the bulbs and put the stems in water with flower food when it’s time to use them.
Leave at least two sets of leaves on the stem when you harvest your tulips if you want them to come back next spring. This will feed the bulb and give it the energy to bloom again. Flowers are typically smaller and of lesser quality in subsequent years but still put on a pretty show.
Tulips are naturally a very long-lasting cut flower. Stems from the store usually last for four to five days, but stems from your own garden can last for a week and a half.
When you first pick tulips, the top two-thirds of the flowers tend to bend and curve. To keep them straight, wrap them in a funnel of paper and put them in water for a few hours. Once fully hydrated, they will stand much straighter in the vase.
Remember that fresh-picked stems will get longer in water over the first few days, so if you’re putting them in an arrangement, put the flowers down deeper than you want them to be. Flower preservative will prolong the vase life of tulips and keep the petals vibrant and richly colored.
With their cheerful cups filled with vivid color tulips are one of the most beloved flowers for spring arrangements. But growing tulips specifically for cut flower use requires some special considerations compared to planting them in the landscape. Timing the harvest of tulip blooms is an art unto itself. Follow this guide for expert tips on successfully growing and harvesting tulips to enjoy their beauty in bouquets.
When to Plant Tulip Bulbs For Cut Flowers
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Plant tulip bulbs in the fall, 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes. This allows time for the roots to become established
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Choose a planting site in full sun with well-draining soil Raised beds work well.
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For cut flowers, plant bulbs closely, about 2 inches apart. This encourages tall, straight stems.
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Set bulbs 4-6 inches deep, with pointy end up. Deeper planting prevents bulbs from heaving upward during freezing and thawing.
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Add a 2-4 inch layer of mulch over bulbs to conserve moisture and insulate during winter.
How to Harvest Tulips for Maximum Vase Life
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Begin checking tulip buds daily as they emerge and mature in spring.
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Tulips should be harvested when buds are large, swollen, and colored, but BEFORE they open.
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Use a shovel or garden fork to dig under each bulb to pop it out of the ground.
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Remove excess soil but leave roots and bulb attached at this point.
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Gather 5-10 stems together and wrap roots in plastic or place upright in a bucket.
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Store harvested tulips in a cool, dark place for up to 2 weeks until ready to arrange.
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When ready to design, cut stems to desired length, strip leaves, and place in fresh water.
Why Harvest Tulips Before They Bloom
Harvesting tulips while still in tight bud delivers the best results:
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Longer vase life of up to 14 days (versus 3-5 days if already open)
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Tulips continue maturing and open gradually for a prolonged display
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Ability to store harvested stems for later use
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Straight, sturdy stems that don’t require support
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Clean harvest before petals drop pollen that shortens vase life
Letting that perfect bud open fully in the garden means you already missed its short peak freshness!
Storing Harvested Tulip Stems
Proper storage is vital for harvested tulips to last. Follow these guidelines:
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Keep freshly harvested tulip stems cool at 35-40°F. A refrigerator works great.
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Prevent bending – Store upright in buckets or wrap stems in newspaper or sleeves.
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Keep in the dark to prevent opening and growth toward light. Cover buckets.
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Store tulips dry, without water. Hydrate just before arranging.
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Change newspaper or water every 2-3 days for longer storage periods.
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Use harvested stems within 2 weeks for maximum quality and vase life.
With proper post-harvest care, you can spread out and extend the tulip season!
Conditioning Tulips for Arrangements
Before placing harvested tulips in vases, they benefit from some conditioning:
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Recut stems and remove any lower leaves that would sit below the waterline.
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Make a fresh cut under warm water to prevent air bubbles from block stems.
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Immerse stems in 100°F water for at least 2 hours to hydrate.
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If stems are bent, wrap them in newspaper and store upright to slowly straighten.
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Add floral preservative to the water for nourishment and to inhibit bacterial growth.
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Arrange in a clean vase with fresh water and floral preservative. Enjoy their beauty!
Properly cared for, your homegrown tulips will delight you with their cheerful blooms for up to two weeks in arrangements.
Growing Tips For Cut Flower Tulips
Follow these best practices for raising top-quality tulips for cutting:
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Choose early to mid-season blooming varieties that tolerate cooler weather.
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Fertilize bulbs pre-planting and mulch beds well for strong stems and lush blooms.
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Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer which promotes foliage over flowers.
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Monitor for pest and disease issues and treat any found early and promptly.
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Allow soil to slightly dry between waterings but don’t let bulbs dry out completely.
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Use nets or fencing to prevent bulb damage from rodents, deer, and other wildlife.
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Discard harvested bulbs instead of trying to replant. Replenish your beds with new bulbs each fall.
With attention to these details, your cut tulips will be the star of arrangements all season long!
Common Problems When Growing Tulips for Cut Flowers
While tulips are relatively hardy, they can encounter some problems. Here’s how to troubleshoot:
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Leggy stems: Inadequate sunlight, overcrowding, over-fertilization, or warm temperatures can cause stretched stems.
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Misshapen blooms: Damage from late frost or freezing temps can deform flower shape. Plant bulbs earlier in fall.
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Small blooms: Insufficient chill time over winter leads to smaller, weaker blooms. Choose early season bulbs.
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Foliage but no blooms: Rodent damage, deep planting, or improper chill hours prevents flowering. Protect bulbs and plant at optimal depth.
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Slow to emerge: Soil pH outside ideal range suppresses sprouting. Test soil and amend as needed.
Catch issues early to mitigate damage and harvest an abundant tulip crop.
Enjoying Tulip Blooms in Bouquets
With proper cultivation and expertly timed harvesting, your homegrown tulips will shine as the stars of gorgeous spring flower arrangements. Follow best practices for planting depth, spacing, sunlight, moisture, and fertility. Check buds frequently as they emerge and pluck each one at its peak before blooms open fully. Handle harvested stems with care and condition properly before designing vibrant displays. Armed with these tips for successfully raising and harvesting cut flower tulips, you’ll enjoy their stunning beauty from garden to vase!
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