Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 3/26/2004

Question
My tulips come up but never put on a bloom.  Some of these I planted last fall and some are a couple of years old.  None have any blooms but have plenty of leaves.  What is the problem? I am located in SE Missouri.
Thanks,
Joan

Answer
If you buy tulip bulbs in fall, they should flower in spring. Make sure they get the required cool period. e.g. they should be planted in late fall 6" deep and the ground covered by a 2-3" layer of mulch AFTER THE GROUND FREEZES. The plants require a cool period of 15-18 weeks to flower.

Tulips seldom flower after their first year. Only in the best of circumstances will they put on a 2nd show. I recommend you treat them as annuals and remove them.

If you fertilize your tulips, do so on top of the soil at time of planting, and again in early spring when they first poke their heads above ground. You do not need to fertilize tulips which are only planted for one season (the bulb contains what it needs for blooming), but if you do, avoid using very high nitrogen fertilizers (e.g. avoid fertilizers used for perennial foliage, shurbs, trees, and lawns). Use flower fertilizers.

Also, plant tulips in full sun or partial shade. no deep shade. A nothern exposure seldom gives flowers.