Expert: Long Island Gardener - 2/27/2008

Question
I have 2 glass containers that have about 1 1/2 to 2 inches of water in the bottom, a plastic tray that the tulip bulbs sit on with holes for the roots to go into the water. The plants grew and blossomed and the flowers have already finished. What do I do now to make them grow again? How do I take care of the bulbs? Do I cut the green completely off? Help.
Thank you,
Lisa
Oxnard, Ventura County, California

Answer
I take it your pretty Tulips have been growing in H2O on the windowsill.  They bloomed beautifully, and you want to do this again next year.  Correct?

Can't blame you for that.  I love them, too.

It will be unfortunately very difficult to get this deja vu to happen all over again, my friend.  Because H2O is not enough for Tulips, or any other Bulb, to build up steam for next year's blossom.  Tulips do not live on Water alone.

You can try.  But even under the best of circumstances, this is a rara avis.  Here's what you can do to raise the odds:  Put these Tulips in Rich Topsoil, preferably filled with plenty of Humus and Sand for drainage.  Water with a high-Phosphorus fertilizer, taking care not to burn the roots; best system is to give small doses every time you water, which should only be when the soil is dry.

Put flower-less Bulb in full Sun, but away from excessive warmth.  You want the plant to be getting lots of direct Sun without getting a lot of heat.  NO NITROGEN FERTILIZER.

This will go on for months, perhaps until the end of June.  At that point, leaves wither and can be cut off, and the Bulb can be lifted out of the pot and placed in a dry, dark storage area, perhaps a refrigerator.  DO NOT store in anything plastic.  The Bulbs need to breathe, even while they are dormant.  Paper bags or boxes are best, and air circulation will be helpful.  A little green mold is of no consequence so if you notice this during the Summer, do not panic, it's no big deal and does not affect the Bulb.

In Fall, place in refrigerator, in a pot with Soil again, for 8 weeks, then treated in the manner you did to obtain this season's Tulips.

Good luck.  Thanks for writing.