Expert: Laura Walker - 5/29/2006

Question
I received some potted tulips for Mother's Day, and now the blooms are gone.  What do I need to do so that they will bloom next spring?

Answer
Victoria,
This is my most FAQ so I will be giving you the answer from those previously asked:

I do not recommend replanting old Tulip bulbs. Most of the ones you get in full bloom are "forced" bulbs,meaning they are grown in large commercial greenhouses in conditions that are set up to mimic the growing conditions needed to produce blooms earlier than they would naturally outdoors.
That means the energy in the bulb is depleted by this method and you won't get much more out of it if you replant them. Buy fresh bulbs in the fall for the best blooms that will produce beautiful blooms the following spring. Unfortuneately Tulips do not multiply like other spring blooming bulbs like Daffodils or Grape Hyacinths and others. They will split into smaller ones and will give you perhaps 2 years of blooms. The exception are the tall Darwin Tulips that will produce blooms longer,perhaps up to 3 years. I always add fresh bulbs to ny Tulip beds every year and add Holland Bulb Booster when planting to insure that I have those gorgeous blooms every spring.Hope this is helpful to you!