Planting tulips in autumn: when and how to plant

Tulips are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring in gardens, front gardens and flower beds. But it is necessary to take care of planting these plants in the fall.
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From our article today you will learn how to properly plant tulips in the fall, how to choose the right time for planting and what to do with the bulbs.

Why do they dig up tulips?

Tulip Bulbs
Most novice gardeners do not suspect that decorative tulips need to be dug up after flowering. This is done for several reasons.

To prevent the bulbs from sinking even deeper into the ground. Because of this, the tulips will bloom worse.
To propagate tulips by dividing the bulb. During development, shoots (“babies”) appear on the tubers of this flower. They can be used for reproduction. If they are left on the mother bulb, the tulip flowers will be smaller.
Rejection of tubers. Sometimes tulip bulbs become diseased. They can also be accidentally damaged when digging the soil. By digging them up, you can discard damaged tubers.
Pest protection. The soil is rich not only in useful substances, but also in numerous pests. To protect expensive tulip bulbs from insects and animals living in the ground, they are dug up after flowering.

IMPORTANT! New varieties and hybrids of tulips must be dug up at least once every 2 years.

Digging and storing bulbs

Tulips are dug up every year. Exceptions are baby bulbs, which remain in the ground for 2 years. Why is this needed: diseased specimens are discarded, appearance improves (flowers become larger), and the ability to produce children increases.

There are a number of rules for when and how excavation is carried out:

Don’t miss the moment: you need to dig up tulips when the leaf is 2/3 dry. If you get the bulb early, it will not have time to accumulate the required supply for subsequent flowering. Late extraction is fraught with the risk that the maternal part will go deeper underground, and the children will separate from it. There is a high probability of missing or damaging planting material.
Arm yourself with a bayonet shovel: you should stick it deep and with a “margin” around the edges so as not to damage the flowers.
Change the bed every 3 years.

Cunning

remove the flower stalk after it has finished blooming. This will help the tulip gain strength. And the leaves themselves should not be removed under any circumstances - it is due to them that the necessary substances accumulate.

How to store tulips before planting in the fall?

Storing bulbs in a wooden box
After digging the tubers out of the ground, they need to be dried for 5-7 days. To do this, place them in a ventilated container (basket or box) and place them in a dry and warm place.

IMPORTANT! The bulbs should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Therefore, dry the tubers under a canopy.

When the tubers are completely dry, they must be cleaned of roots and scales. You also need to cut off rot and other damage. The cut area must be lubricated with potassium permanganate.

Then the dug up and dried tulips must be treated with a fungicide to prevent possible diseases. Experienced florists advise using Fundazol .

Fundazol

Now the bulbs are ready for storage. There are 4 main rules for storing tulip rhizomes:

Stable temperature conditions. 25-27 degrees in the first 20-25 days, 15-20 degrees the rest of the time.
Low humidity. Air humidity of 60-70% is optimal for storing tulip bulbs. If it is too dry, the tubers will begin to wrinkle, and if the humidity is high, they will germinate ahead of time and begin to rot. If you store tulips in a damp room, then place the tubers in sawdust. They absorb excess moisture.
Lack of light. It is very important to store the bulbs in a dark room. In the light they will begin to germinate ahead of time.
Ventilation. If you do not provide the tubers with free access to air, they will begin to rot.

Along with the lack of light, good ventilation of the premises is the main condition for storing tulips. In unstable temperatures or high humidity, tubers can survive with proper care. If exposed to sunlight and lack of free air access, the planting material will become unusable.

IMPORTANT! Tubers should be stored in a wooden or plastic ventilated container. Do not store bulbs in plastic bags or buckets. If there are mice in the room, it is better to put the tubers in nets and hang them from the ceiling.

Forcing for the holiday of March 8

Early varieties of tulips are suitable for forcing, forming large or medium buds, which also look good in a bouquet. Forcing is carried out either in a greenhouse, if you need to grow a large number of flowers, or at home on a windowsill, which is quite possible. How to do it right?

First stage

Preparing the bulbs. Medium and large-sized bulbs weighing at least 25 g are suitable for forcing. In the summer, when the time comes for digging, select specimens with a diameter of at least 3.5 cm. They need to be cleared of soil and placed under a canopy to dry. After 2 weeks, the bulbs are cleaned again, the roots are cut off and placed in a cool place with a temperature of +18-20°C.

Second phase

Cooling. At the beginning of September, the bulbs begin to cool. The temperature in the storage area drops to +5°C, humidity 80-90%. You can create such conditions in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf. The bulbs will spend at least a month in such conditions.

Third stage

The cooled bulbs are placed in a common planting box for germination. It is first filled with a mixture of sand and peat in a 1:1 ratio. Make the first layer 3-4 cm high, place the bulbs on it, lightly pressing them into the loose soil. The distance between them is 10-20 cm. Lightly irrigate with a sprayer and cover with clean, dry river sand on top so that only the tops remain on the surface.

It is necessary to provide tulips with nutrients. To do this, make a solution of calcium nitrate 1 g per 1 liter of water and water the planting. Now you need to put the boxes with the bulbs in a cool, dark cellar with a temperature of +5°C and a humidity of about 85%. Periodically water the soil in the box, but only lightly, so as not to cause the appearance of fungal diseases. This way the bulbs are stored for about three months until the beginning of January.

Fourth stage

The first shoots should appear around mid-January. A month before March 8 or the date by which it is expected to receive blooming tulips, the boxes are brought out into the light. By this time the sprouts should already have reached 4-5 cm. The temperature is raised to +18°. It is necessary to establish artificial additional lighting for plants; Daylight hours should last 10 - 11 hours. At this time, a second feeding with calcium nitrate is carried out in the same dose as the first.

When are tulips planted in the fall, in what month and how to choose the time depending on the region?

The time for planting tulips largely depends on the climate of the region. The optimal soil temperature for planting is +10 degrees. Indian summer is considered a general guideline for work. But in warmer areas, planting can be done a little later.

Tulips must take root before frost sets in to survive the winter well. Therefore, in colder years, tubers should be planted earlier.

Planting tulips

Landing dates in the Middle Zone

In Central Russia and the North-West of the country, tulips can be planted until October 20. But there is no point in delaying the work. It is best to plan planting for the first half of the month, so that in case of rainy weather you have time to spare.

Time of landing in the Urals

In the Urals, tulips need to be planted around the tenth of September. In this case, it is best to additionally use covering material: insulation, dry grass, moss, etc.

In outskirts of Moscow

In the Moscow region, tulips are planted throughout the first half of October. If frosts come too early, then it is better to postpone planting the tubers to early spring so as not to ruin the planting material.

In Belarus

Planting tulips in Belarus can be done in the same time frame as in central Russia.

In Ukraine

In Ukraine, tubers are planted in late October - early November. But in Polesie it is better to complete the work before the third ten days of October.

General rules for planting bulbs

Regardless of when you prefer to plant tulip bulbs - in autumn or spring - in order to get strong stems and beautiful buds, you must strictly adhere to the following rules:

Tulips love the sun. Shade is strictly contraindicated for them. And even in partial shade they can bloom only if the soil is very well fertilized and loosened. In view of this, place the flowerbed on the south side of the house/fence, or better yet, away from any buildings and tall trees.
Strong gusty winds can greatly damage tulips. Choose a place where the flowerbed would be protected from it by some obstacle.
Excess moisture is also harmful to tulips. If groundwater in your area comes close to the surface, raise the flowerbed 20-30 cm above the general ground level, or create drainage using sand or gravel placed at the bottom of the planting holes.
For tulips to grow strong and beautiful, they need light sandy loam soil, dug to the depth of a shovel and fertilized with organic matter and superphosphates. Just do not use fresh manure, which provokes the development of fungal diseases.
Since the root system of the bulbs is very short, fertilizers must be applied in close proximity to them. Many gardeners even practice targeted application of nutrients - strictly for each bulb.
If you are using someone else's planting material, purchase it at the end of July, that is, immediately after the bulbs are dug up. Only by ensuring the correct storage conditions yourself can you be sure that the bulbs are viable.
The planting depth is 10–15 centimeters for large bulbs and about 5–7 for “babies”. The distance between planted bulbs in the same row should be approximately the same. But the rows themselves should be approximately 30–35 centimeters apart from each other.
Like all perennials, tulips are naturally adapted to survive winter frosts. True, given the southern origin of these flowers, they can only tolerate moderate cold. If the winter ahead is really very frosty, it is recommended to cover the flowerbed with humus, peat, or at least fallen leaves. Of course, such a “blanket” will not stop the freezing of the ground, but at least it will protect against sudden temperature changes.

Preparing planting material

Tulip bulbs must be prepared for planting
Before planting the bulbs, it is necessary to carry out pre-planting preparations.

First of all, the tubers need to be carefully examined for damage, rot and pests. To do this you will have to remove the husk. If the damage to the bulb is minor, then after processing it can be planted in the ground along with the others. Diseased tubers are thrown away.

Next you need to sort the tubers. It is better to plant large ones separately, because their flowers will be larger.

After sorting, the bulbs are soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate or phytosporin for 40 - 60 minutes. Then the planting material is dried, avoiding direct sunlight.

After this, the tulips are ready for planting.

How to plant in open ground in autumn?

Whatever method of planting tulips you choose, you still need to prepare the soil first.

Firstly , it is better to plant flowers in a lighted place. With a lack of light, tulips stretch out and become paler.

Secondly , the place where flowers are planted must be protected from the wind.

Thirdly , tulips need to be planted on a flat area so that there is no stagnation of water.

Before planting, the soil under the tulips is dug up. Digging depth – 1 bayonet. Then the soil is fertilized. It is best to use a complex fertilizer for bulbs, which is sold at any hardware store.

Soil preparation should be carried out at least 30 days before the expected date of planting flowers.

Traditional way

Planting tulips in a furrow
If you have pre-sorted the planting material, then planting the bulbs in the ground will not cause you any difficulties.

Tulips can be planted individually, in furrows and in patterns. It all depends on the amount of planting material and your own imagination.

If you plant bulbs in furrows, then maintain a distance of 25–30 cm between them. A layer of sand (2–3 cm) must first be poured onto the bottom of the furrows. Then spread out the bulbs and cover them with the nutrient mixture and soil.

IMPORTANT! Make sure that all the tubers are laid out bottom down!

If the soil under the tulips is too dry, you can first water it generously with water.

The distance at which tubers should be planted depends largely on the size of your plot. If you have extra space, then you can dig holes less frequently, at a distance of 15–20 cm. If you are limited in free space, then try to keep at least 8–10 cm between holes.

After planting the tulips, it is recommended to cover them with 2 cm of peat or humus mulch.

In baskets

Planting tulips in a “basket”
Planting tulips in baskets has a number of advantages:

There is no need to dig up the entire area looking for bulbs. They are all already in one place.
Protection from insects and rodents that cannot get to the tubers.
Each variety can be planted in a separate basket.

This method has only one drawback. If one bulb gets sick, the others will also be doomed.

As a container for planting, you can use not only baskets, but also any other boxes, bottoms of plastic bottles, cake lids, etc. The main condition is the presence of ventilation holes.

By the way, recently special plastic boxes for planting bulbous crops have been sold in stores.

Prepare planting holes according to the diameter and height of the “baskets”. Place 2-3 cm of sand at the bottom of the basket and lay out the bulbs. Then cover them with the nutrient mixture. You can also use ordinary soil.

Once the tulips are planted in the baskets, place them in the planting holes and level them to hide the edges of the baskets.

When the tulips fade in the spring, you will dig up containers and plant other flowers in this place.

Planting tulips in 2022 according to the lunar calendar

In the calendar you can find dates for planting tulip bulbs not only before winter, but also for spring planting, as well as for forcing them by certain dates.

Month	Favorable days	Unfavorable days
January	3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 21, 22, 25, 26, 30, 31	1, 2, 4, 5, 18, 19
February	3, 4, 7, 8, 9,12, 13, 14, 17, 18,21, 22, 23, 26, 27	1, 2, 16,28
March	3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 21, 22, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31	1, 2, 18, 27, 28
April	3, 4, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 21, 22, 26, 27	1, 16, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30
May	1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 19, 23, 24, 27, 28	16, 21, 22, 29, 30, 31
September	5, 6, 9, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29	7, 8, 10, 25, 26
October	2, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13,14,15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 30	4, 5, 6, 9, 24, 25
November	3, 4, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 22, 26, 27, 30	1, 2, 8, 23, 24, 28, 29
December	1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 19, 20, 24, 27, 28, 29	8, 22, 23, 26, 28

At what depth should the bulbs be placed before winter?

Tulips do not need to be planted too deep, otherwise they will not be able to germinate in the spring. Planting depth depends on the size of the bulb.

Large bulbs are sown at a depth of 12–15 cm.
Medium bulbs - to a depth of 10 - 12 cm.
Small bulbs - to a depth of 6 - 8 cm.

Planting depth for tulips
Please note that the smallest tubers will produce the smallest flowers. Therefore, they need to be planted on the south side so that large flowers do not block them from the sun.

REFERENCE. There is a way to determine how deep to bury the tubers. The depth of the hole should be 3 times the height of the tulip bulb.

Plant care

When planting bulbs in the spring, it is worth understanding that flowering will be late and modest. As a rule, the plant takes root within 3 weeks, flowering occurs after the conditional completion of rooting after 14 days.

Until the first shoots appear, regular watering is sufficient; additional care is not yet needed. After the sprouts appear, the sprouts need to be fertilized with preparations containing phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen.

Important!

When applying fertilizer, be careful not to get it on the leaves.

Possible mistakes

Inaccurate work. You need to dig the bulbs out of the soil very carefully so as not to damage them. Any cuts threaten the roots with infection by pathogens. If you accidentally damage a tuber, wash it and treat it with potassium permanganate.
Light in the room where the bulbs are stored. Many gardeners do not take into account the fact that sunlight stimulates the development of any plant. To prevent tulips from germinating prematurely, they need to be stored in the dark.
Storage in a plastic bag or bucket. To prevent tubers from rotting, they definitely need air. Therefore, you need to store tulips in well-ventilated baskets, drawers or boxes. Storage in nets is also allowed.
Too “dry” or too “wet” room. The optimal humidity for storing tubers is 60%. If it is not possible to provide it, then you need to either place containers with water in the room or, conversely, sprinkle the tubers with sawdust.
Lack of preliminary preparation of bulbs. Before storing tubers, they must be inspected. Rotten roots are thrown away. If the bulb is slightly rotten, then the affected part can be cut off. But then you definitely need to treat the cut with potassium permanganate.
Landing too late or too early. If you plant the bulbs when it is still summer, the tulips will sprout and die from frost. If you are late with planting, they will not be able to take root in the frozen ground.
Failure to comply with landing rules. Unprepared soil, incorrectly chosen planting depth, lack of fertilizers - all this negatively affects the rooting of bulbs. And, as a result, it directly affects whether your tulips will survive the winter.

Tulips after flowering

Dig in time

This means that you need to wait until the outflow of nutrients from the leaves into the scales occurs, a replacement bulb and children are formed. As a rule, this period occurs at the end of June - beginning of July. If you are late, the nest will fall apart and many babies will be lost; if you dig it up earlier, the new bulb will not have time to ripen. How to find the golden mean? Use the old Dutch method: if the tulip stem has lost its fragility and easily wraps around your finger, feel free to dig.

Disassemble

This means sorting by bulb size and grade. As a rule, simple tulips (especially red ones) are very stable and unpretentious, produce many stolons with children and literally displace the weak and pampered ones, which are modern varietal specimens. Hence the myth of “cross-pollination”. As soon as the gardener begins to mark the best varieties with beacons and dig them up in time, spring will immediately begin to be colored only with his favorite flowers.

Store correctly

The dug up and sorted bulbs are placed in lattice boxes and dried for 2-3 days under a canopy. Then they are laid out in 2 rows, interleaved with newspapers, and sent to a moderately warm (25 C) and ventilated place (attic, barn). There they will be stored until September, periodically subject to review and rejection of dry and rotten children.