Tulips for valentines. What to do?

Question

I got some beautiful tulips for Valentine's Day. The flowers are done and the plants are looking wilted. They were just in a vase with rocks and water at the bottom. The bulbs are out of the water. I would like to plant them. What do I do? Do I just cut off the green, stick 'em in the fridge and wait until fall or?????

Shari@puregrace · Answer

I have done a bit of research on what to do with tulips after forced blooming. Here is a link to an article that details what to do much better than I could. Hope this helps. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/plant-tulips-outside-after-bloom-pots-38020.html

Vicki O · Answer

plant them in the spring if you want to hedge your bets. tulips might be iffy, but it is worth a try

Demetria R · Answer

When I purchase tulips in the Spring that have already bloomed I give them a rest until next year. I put them in a dark place and plant them in the late fall before frost hits. I have had really good luck with mine. They have bloomed every year. Good luck, happy gardening.

Douglas Hunt · Answer

It's dodgy to get tulips that have been forced to rebloom. Cut off the stalks where the blooms were, but keep all the leaves and plant the bulbs as soon as you can dig in the ground, then let the leaves yellow naturally. This is essential for providing food for the bulb for next year.

Nancy · Answer

I agree with Doug.

Tabby · Answer

I agree with Doug too. You might has well try. I just plant them right away and let the roots grow all summer in the ground. I add bone meal to the ground I plant them in. They may not bloom next year but if you get even a tiny leaf coming up, then within a couple of years, they will start blooming again. They will bloom when they are ready to.

Jen · Answer

Cut them back...let them dry out for a while and plant them in your garden...Next spring they will come back :-)

Sharon · Answer

can they be planted into a container instead of the ground?

CC · Answer

I have never seen cut flowers with bulbs attached. Just wondered where you purchased them? Is that actually a good thing for the flowers or the bulbs?

Carol G · Answer

Do not cut them back. Just lay them on a piece of cardboard for a few days until they dry off. I do it on the floor in front of my fridge. When dry put them in a onion bag and hang them on a hook until fall. Or when the foliage is dried, clean them up and store until fall. Never in a plastic bag, they need air to dry. You received a bonus getting the bulbs and all.

Bonnie F · Answer

Thanks for all the great suggestions. There are 8 bulbs so I might try planting half and drying and storing half to see if one thing works better than the other.

Jen · Answer

I didnt mean when they were green...sorry...meant when they died back...Master Gardener and should have made myself clear :-)

Barbara Crawford · Answer

I received my tulips in a pot with dirt should I let the dirt dry out, shake off dirt and plant in the Spring if it ever gets here?

Lynn Sorrell · Answer

need to add water until the tops die back naturally then remove dead dry out bulbs and plant in your garden outside.

Janice · Answer

Here's an article that might help you get some more pleasure from your gift of tulips.

https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/how-to-save-and-replant-forced-seasonal-bulbs

Johnavallance82 · Answer

Give it a go and mark the patch, so if you are luckly they will return for you!

Tulips for valentines. What to do?

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Tulips for valentines. What to do?

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