Expert: Long Island Gardener - 4/15/2008

Question
I bought tulip bulbs early in the season last year while building a new home.  
I did not get to plant them and they were sprouting and getting soft so I tried
to force them in a tulip forcing container.  I think they were just too old and
soft.  I have been splitting them apart and there are many very small bulbs.  If
I keep them and plant them in fall will they grow larger for blooming another
year?  Or should I just toss them.  I planned to keep them in a second
refrigerator.  I live in Washington which I think is zone 8.

Answer
Tulips, sorry to say, do not perform the way we are led to believe.  You do not have to have a brown thumb to be disappointed with them.  Many Spring Bulbs are in fact more difficult than expected.  But Tulips take the cake.

Reason being, they are bread for gorgeousness.  For the WOW! factor.  Not for repeat performance, which seems to be one of those things that you get by accident.  Breeders will take it if it's there, but they won't care if it isn't.

Brent and Beckys Bulbs have a Summer and Fall catalog.  Now that Spring is over you can purchase from their Summer selection, which is choice and delightful.  Next fall, look thru their Fall catalog for Spring bulbs.  For large quantities, order from Van Engelen -- some of their bulbs are sold by the thousands.

Better luck next time, dear.  Thank you for writing.

L.I.G.