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Learn how to preserve tulip bulbs so they'll bloom in spring
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Tulips are hearty flowers that bloom in full force in the springtime, but they often need to be stored during hot summers or too-warm or too-cold winters. Luckily, it’s easy to store tulip bulbs so they bloom successfully in spring. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know to properly store tulip bulbs in the summer and winter. Plus, learn how long you can store tulip bulbs, the benefits of storing them, and answers to other common questions about the process.
How to Save Tulip Bulbs
Once the flower dies, cut off the flowering stems, then dig up the bulbs once the leaves turn yellow. Allow the bulbs to dry on a tray in a cool, dry place for about two days. Then, place them in a mesh bag or on a tray lined with peat and store them in a cool, dry area until you’re ready to replant them.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
How to Store Tulip Bulbs
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Cut the blooms off the bulb once the flower dies. Once your flower has lost its flowers, use a pair of pruning shears to cut the flowering stem off the bulb. This helps prevent the bulb from using more energy than it needs to. Trim as close to the base of the bulb as you can. [1] X Trustworthy Source Royal Horticultural Society Leading gardening charity in the U.K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants Go to source- Keep the leaves on your tulips. These help store energy for the next season.
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Dig up the bulbs once the leaves yellow and die. Once the foliage has turned yellow and shriveled, use a garden shovel to loosen the soil around the bulb and pull it out of the ground. Shake off any excess soil, and dispose of any bulbs that appear diseased or damaged. [2] X Trustworthy Source Royal Horticultural Society Leading gardening charity in the U.K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants Go to source- It typically takes about 6 weeks for the foliage to yellow and die after the tulip’s blooming period. During this time, the bulb is gathering the energy it needs from the sun in order to bloom the following spring.
- Do not overwater the bulbs as the leaves die. An occasional rain is okay, but the bulbs will start to rot if the soil is too wet.
- Healthy tulip bulbs appear full and hard. If they’re soft, shriveled, or discolored, it’s time to discard them. If there are only small spots of rot, cut them off using a sharp, sterilized knife. Diluted bleach, rubbing alcohol, or white vinegar will work as a disinfectant.
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Clean the bulbs and let them dry for about 2 days. Remove any leaves and roots from the bulb with a pair of pruning shears or sharp scissors, then wipe the outer layer of the bulbs with a dry paper towel. Place the bulbs on a tray and store them in a cool, dry place out of the sun for 2 days. A garage or shaded area outside will work best. [3] X Research source- The outer layer of the bulb may be dying if it is browned or shows signs of rot, so gently rub it with the paper towel in order to remove it.
- If the bulbs are stored in the sun or in moist conditions, they will retain the moisture and begin to rot.
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Place the bulbs in a mesh bag or in a box layered with peat. A mesh bag allows air to flow to the bulbs while they are being stored. Alternatively, lay the bulbs flat on a tray or in a tote or box with layers of peat , dry sand , or vermiculite between them. This will help absorb moisture and prevent the bulbs from rotting during storage. [4] X Research source- It may also help to wrap individual bulbs with small pieces of newspaper. The newspaper helps store some moisture and helps keep the bulbs at a consistent temperature.
- Rather than purchasing a new mesh bag, consider reusing an old onion bag.
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Store the bulbs in a dark, dry place or in the fridge. In general, a garage or cellar will work well, as long as the temperatures do not drop below freezing. If you live in a warm climate where temperatures do not drop below 50 °F (10 °C), chill the bulbs in the refrigerator instead. Keep them in the crisper drawer so the fridge light doesn’t shine on them. Try to keep the temperature around 40–50 °F (4–10 °C) [5] X Research source- Keep the bulbs away from light or they will start to grow prematurely.
- Avoid storing tulip bulbs with apples or other fruits or vegetables, as they release ethylene gas that could kill the flower inside the bulb.
- When stored properly, tulip bulbs can last for 12 months, but be sure to check for shriveled or moldy bulbs every 2 weeks. Remove damaged bulbs or moldy storage materials as soon as possible.
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Alternatively, store potted tulips in a garage or shed for the winter. Storing tulip bulbs in a refrigerator helps preserve them in both summer and winter, when the ground temperature may damage them. However, if you live in an area with very cold winters or somewhere the tulips will be exposed to repeated freezing and thawing, another option is to plant them in a pot in the fall. Store the potted plants in a sheltered area, like a garage or insulated shed, to protect them from the winter weather, then move them outside once the first shoots appear in the spring. [6] X Research source- Tulips typically need between 8-17 weeks of chill time around 40–50 °F (4–10 °C). If they do not receive this chill time, they won’t grow as tall.
- If your winters aren’t too harsh, it isn’t always necessary to dig up tulip bulbs. Many thrive in the ground.
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Plant the bulbs in the spring or fall. If you stored your bulbs to protect them from the heat of summer, plant tulip bulbs 6-8 weeks before the first frost in the fall. If you stored your tulip bulbs over the winter, plant them in early spring so they still have time to bloom. [7] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat do I do with the small bulbs around the original tulip bulb?Community AnswerKeep them! You can either plant them along with the larger bulbs or you can separate them and they will eventually grow to become their own larger bulbs that will flower.
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QuestionAre all bulbs stored like the tulip bulbs?Community AnswerNo. They aren't. There is a difference between Tunicate bulbs (like tulips) and Imbricate bulbs (like lilies), Imbricate bulbs need to stay moist before planting.
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QuestionWhen do I cut the leaves off the bulbs? Do I wait until the blooms drop off?Community AnswerCut the stem when the flower dies. Cut the leaves when they die. While they are still green, they are nourishing the bulb.
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Tips
- Watch the weather to determine how long you should keep your bulbs in storage before replanting them. [13] X Research sourceThanks
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Warnings
- Don’t store tulip bulbs in a fridge that also has fruits like apples or pears. Many fruits emit a gas as they ripen that could damage your bulbs. [14] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to sourceThanks
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Things You’ll Need
- Pruning shears
- Paper towel
- Tray
- Mesh bag
- Refrigerator or another cool, dark area
References
- ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/bulbs/growing-guide
- ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/bulbs/growing-guide
- ↑ https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/storing-tender-bulbs-for-winter/
- ↑ https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/storing-tender-bulbs-for-winter/
- ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/storing_and_saving_tender_plant_bulbs_during_winter
- ↑ https://www.finegardening.com/project-guides/container-gardening/how-to-plant-tulips-in-pots
- ↑ https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/all-about-tulips
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-store-tulip-bulbs-8697259
- ↑ https://nzbulbs.co.nz/media/ecom/factsheets/chillingtulips.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoq1QNw9oTSv_o4uJb5nxdXR1AWfuHcTI3L8ahFIXiG77fuQ5C5B
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-store-tulip-bulbs-8697259
- ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/storing_and_saving_tender_plant_bulbs_during_winter
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-store-tulip-bulbs-8697259
- ↑ https://www.mofga.org/resources/horticulture/fall-bulbs/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11903980
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you want to store tulip bulbs, cut the stem off of the bulbs once the flowers have died, but do not cut the leaves. Once the leaves die, about 6 weeks later, dig up the bulbs and pull off the dead leaves and roots. Wipe the outer layer of the bulbs with a dry paper towel to remove excess soil, then allow them to dry in a cool, dry place for 2 days. Wrap the bulbs individually in newspaper, then place them in a mesh bag and store them in a dark, dry place for up to 12 weeks. If you live in a warm climate, place them in the crisper drawer of your fridge. If you want to learn more from our Horticulturist co-author about how to replant tulip bulbs, keep reading the article!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I just bought a carton of special tulip bulbs to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday. Some tulips in the carton have started to "sprout", however, the ones on the bottom are okay. Guidelines above are great, but I would like to know if I can follow the same steps for the new bulbs to preserve them till fall planting?" ..." more
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"I just bought a carton of special tulip bulbs to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday. Some tulips in the carton have started to "sprout", however, the ones on the bottom are okay. Guidelines above are great, but I would like to know if I can follow the same steps for the new bulbs to preserve them till fall planting?"
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"I have not raised tulips before, so I wanted to know how to store them. I live in Idaho, apartment living on the North side is not easy. Potted plants have to be moved when the sun comes up West side of the patio, sun going down East side of patio. I love my plants/flowers, I miss sunshine California style. Thank you for the simple answer/information."
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"The park district where I live plants tulips every year and then digs them up at the end of April/beginning of May, and gives them away to the residents. I did not want to plant them because I am giving them to someone else, so I wanted to store them properly before they were gifted."
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"This is a very clear set of directions. My tulips failed to bloom this year because they were crowded out by competing plants in the flower beds. I have dug them up, and will be happy to replant in the fall to see if they do any better next spring than they did this year."
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"This explained how to after-care for my first season of growing Tulips. Just as my Tulips are ready to have their drying blossoms cut I found it was the right thing to do. As a novice gardener I was grateful to find such helpful info."
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