Growing tulips :: How to plant bulbs, when to plant them

 Do you like flowers? I like flowers since I was young, so I often buy real flowers at home and put them in a vase. I can't go to flower shops often because of the COVID-19 virus these days. Then, I suddenly wanted to grow tulips that come to mind when I think of spring flowers. I went grocery shopping at the mart and found a bulb of mini tulip in the pot section! I bought it right away because it was cheap. And a few days later, I searched on the Internet for how to plant tulips and how to manage them. If you are interested, please refer to it. 

What is tulips

a perennial plant of the genus Lilies and tulips The height is 20 to 60 cm, and the leaves are shifted and have a wide peach shape. Bell-shaped white, yellow, and purple double flowers bloom from April to May. Flowers are also used to make alcohol. It is ornamental and is native to Southeast Europe and Asia Minor.

Tulip means

Tulip means different colors Each has a different meaning.

• White one is "Memories, past friendships, broken hearts, new beginnings."
• ​Red is "Confession of Love"
• ​The yellow one is "Love that can't be achieved."
• ​Pink is "Beginning of love, affection, consideration."
• Purple is "Forever Love"
• ​Purple is "Love that doesn't last forever."
• ​Black is It's called "Curse of Love"

How to grow tulips

1. Planting time and depth

Tulip bulbs are planted about two weeks before the first frost. I think mid-October will be fine in Korea. But it's okay to plant it later when you plant it. When planted, the flower stalks should be planted three times deeper than the height of the tulip bulb to grow solid and prevent frost damage by giving out leaves too early. 

2. Light 

A sunny place is the best all day, and a little shade is fine. If it is an area that rises more than 20 degrees around April, the sun rises well in the morning and flowers last longer in the shade in the afternoon. This is because flowers wither early when the temperature is high. It is not good to plant them under large trees because they need to be photosynthesized enough after the flowers have fallen. If you planted it in a pot, it is a good idea to put it in a shaded place in the afternoon when there are flowers and move it to a place where the sun rises all day after the flowers set. 

3. Soil, water, and fertilizer

I like well-drained soil, and I prefer a slightly dry conditions It is difficult to see flowers for many years because tulip bulbs are prone to rot if it is a soil where water remains throughout the winter. However, it is recommended that you water it enough until the leaves come out and show flowers. 

Fertilizers are good to give organic fertilizers a month or two before flowers bloom to see healthy leaves and flowers, right after flowers bloom on top of saving energy for next year.

1) Planting in outdoor field 

If the bulb is treated at a low temperature, the weather gets warmer in February and the ground melts and digs well, Dig deep into the ground and plant it. (Plant about 8-10 cm)

2) Planting in an indoor pot 

When planting in a pot, plant at a depth of about 5cm. Please keep the soil from drying out. If the temperature is high, the flower grows faster, so the flower stalks are weak 

3) Indoor hydroponics

If you plant it in the half-dark side, it grows better. You can see more flowers next year.

On the other hand, flowers bloom slowly when the temperature is low, while the flower stalk is strong and the color of the flower is pretty. Please refer to it and choose a cool place where the sun is good and raise it.

When you grow indoor hydroponics, it is most important to take care of the bulb so that it does not recede. Don't let it soak too much and adjust the height.

4. When the flowers bloom and the management after the flowers fall 

It usually blooms between mid-March and early May, although it depends on the local temperature and how much sun is set in the planted area. The timing of blooming varies slightly depending on the variety, but specific tulips bloom earlier, and double tulips tend to bloom a little later overall. After the flowers fall, the leaves should be left intact, the flower stalk should be cut to the bottom to prevent the energy from being dispersed with the flower stalk, and the leaves should faithfully photosynthesize to increase the chances of seeing the flowers the following year. If you planted it in a pot, you can dig it out in July and August when the leaves fall, store it in a well-ventilated net, and if you planted it in the yard, you can leave the digging as it is without any trouble.