Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 4/13/2005

Question
I'm studying at the University in Oklahoma, and got some beautiful, tall tulips that had just been dug out of the ground. They are very healthy and multipled some this year.  I think they may be 1st year bulbs whom just lost the yellow and purple petles.  All of my recomendations have been to plant them now, but I can't find a good place in my tiny* garden.  So far I have the tulips bulb/plants in a cardboard box outside.  Should I put some dirt in the box and let them die in the dirt, or just dry out?  When I go to store them until winter break, can I store them in my pantry, or should I store them in the linen closet; both will be a mostly dark spot?  I hope their is a good way to take care of them, it will be so much fun to incorporate them into my garden next year.  Thanks in advance for your help.
~Carolyn

Answer
Plant them in a flower pot or the box outdoors, but keep them watered and fed (fertilizer). Let the foliage stay green for as long as possible and give full sun. That will allow the bulb to photosynthesize, e.g. convert sun energy into plant energy which will ensure next year's bloom. If you have not already done so, deadhead (cut end of flower stems off) but let the leaves stay. the longer you can grow the leaves green, the better.

Once the foliage start to yellow and wither (mature) you should stop watering. after the foliage is completely brown and crisp, you can tuck it off.

Wash the bulbs and store them dry and cool. The crisper drawer of the fridge is the best place, but keep ripening fruit, and fresh cut flowers, out of the fridge for the period (or atleast out of the drawer). Store them in a ventilated bag, such as an old onion sack or a panty hose.

In fall, water the weather cools, plant the bulbs 6-8" deep and they should flower for you again. You can also keep the bulbs in the fridge, and plant them next spring in large pots (gallon or larger). Put the pot outdoors in late winter/early spring in a sheltered position. The bulbs need to be planted and continuing cooling. The bulbs need a cooling period while planted to flower. If not you will get foliage, but no flowers.

Note: tulips are somewhat poor perennializers. not all will return. Most people treat them as annuals although I have had good experiences with repeats. Just remember to let the foliage die back naturally while fertilizing and watering for as long as it wants. Remember also that tulips need 15-18 weeks of PLANTED cool treatment at steady temperatures.