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Bulbs/Tulip bulbs

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Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 12/29/2003


Question
Hi,  I live in 53210 zip code.  I purchased tulip bulbs this past fall and was unable to plant them.  Is there anything I can do to save my investment?  Any info you can give me will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you, Mary Ellen

Answer
You can keep the bulbs in the fridge until you are ready to plant. When you are ready, take the bulbs directly to their planting hole. If temperatures are above freezing they should grow and flower within 2-4 weeks. The refrigeration period should exceed 18 weeks to be on the safe side. This procedure is also termed "forcing".

Another option is to plant in pots which are placed in cool place which does not freeze very heavily, however, such as an unheated attached garage for example. In early spring when the bulb foilage appear on top of the pots the pots can be transferred outdoor to bloom.

If you store bulbs in the fridge then make sure you remove any cut flowers or fresh fruit. The ripening process can sterilize the bulbs.

Bulbs

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Volunteer

Kenneth Joergensen

Expertise

Can answer questions about spring and summer bulbs: selection, soil preparation, planting, fertilizing, designing with bulbs. I can also give references where to buy the bulbs and how to store them. Besides the typical bulbs (tulips, daffodils, amaryllis, lilies etc) I can also answer questions about other geophytes, such as tuberous begonia, dahlias, etc. When to start indoors, light requirement, etc. My experience is in cool season areas, but I can answer questions about warm season areas if given time to research matter.

Experience

Have worked with various bulbs (spring and summer bulbs). I am presently an allexpert advicer on the lawn message board also.

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