Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 4/22/2006

Question
Zone5,Michigan,49454. I don't seem to have any luck with my tulip bulbs producing flowers, I plant them in the fall and only get one leaf in the Spring. What am I doing wrong?  

Answer
It is difficult to say what the problem is but here are some ideas. Only you can determine what may be the case.

- tulip bulbs should be planted after the soil cools in fall. A common mistake is planting too early (summer).
If necerssary, wait until after first night frost to plant (would be late October in your area).

- plant 3 x the height of the bulbs. E.g. if the bulb is 2" tall, plant it at the bottom of a 6" deep hole and cover with soil.

- drainage is crucial (the most important). If you have hard compact soil, loosen a large area to a dept of 12-18" with a garden fork or spade, and mix in some compost or peatmoss sphagnum to loosen the soil. Then plant the bulbs. If you have heavy clay, just digging a hole and planting will work as a "cup" where water will collect and rot the bulbs. It is best to loosen the entire flower bed. I am not saying to rip out existing plants, but dont just dig small holes for the bulbs. If need be, loosen a small area and plant bulbs within this area. Also loosen the soil atleast 8-12" below the bulbs. Compost/peatmoss sphagnum can again help to improve drainage if mixed with your native soil. Lay a 3"-4" layer on top of the soil and mix it thoroughly in to the top 12-18"

Alternatively, try raised beds. This involves raising the level of soil by 6-8". You can nail 4 boards together in a rectangle and fill this frame with soil. Still loosen soil under the frame to a dept of 12-18". Then plant 6" deep as usual (which would actually be just around soil level compared to the outside soil). The drainage is better in raised beds and perfect drainage is required for flowering bulbs. Normally, mixing some compost into the soil is all you have to do, but really trouble soils (like hard red clay) can be remedied as above.

- water well after you plant to settle the soil around the bulbs. This must be a long deep soaking. A 2 hours gentle flow through a soaker hose is better than a quick sprinkle with a handheld hose. You can also instead plant when rain is forecasted the same week.

Finally, there are lots of chipmunks and mice which may devour bulbs. Try to plant in "cages" of chickenwire (fine masked). Cut pieces of chickenwire out in 1 sq foot pieces and tie them together in a square cube. Then put this down into the planting hole. Half fill with soil and plant the tulip bulbs in the middle of the cube and cover with more soil. The critters can not get to the bulbs through the cube, but the small skinny shots will grow through the mesh in spring and will flower.

There are also other problems, though, such as deer which will eat tender shots in spring.

Finally, buy top quality bulbs from reputable stores. supermarkets and other "centers" may not sell the best bulbs. Bulbs should be heavy, firm and without soft spots. They should not be light.

-- Good luck