Tulips are gorgeous spring flowers. How much pleasure they bring to the owners, who, after the monotonous winter cold, can finally please the eye with bright colors! But, unfortunately, the life span of these flowers is short. They start up the first sprouts in April, bloom in May. The flowering itself lasts about a week. Then, thanks to the green leaves, the bulbs are still gaining nutrient reserves. And in summer the leaves dry up. In fact, this does not upset gardeners too much, because other summer flowers take over. But on the other hand, the question becomes relevant: "When to dig up tulip bulbs after flowering?"
Why do tulips get smaller and less beautiful?
It happens that the bulbs of expensive varietal tulips give magnificent large and lush flowers for the first year, and in subsequent buds they become smaller and not so beautiful. According to experts, the main reason for this phenomenon is that not everyone knows how to store tulip bulbs in the summer. Many experienced flower growers claim that in order to get a strongand a lush flower, it is necessary to dig out the bulbs every year. Tulips of some varieties are allowed to be left in the beds for a couple of years, but not longer. And be sure to follow all the subtleties of storage technology.
When to dig up tulip bulbs after flowering
First of all, it is important to properly care for the flowers themselves after they bloom. It is necessary to remove flower growers (the remaining parts of the flower after the petals fall) to prevent the formation of seeds. They are still not very suitable for reproduction, and all the juices will be pulled out of the bulb. But the green leaves should be left, even if they are slightly wilted. It is they who will become the suppliers of those nutrients that are formed as a result of photosynthesis and accumulate in the roots. But when the green parts turn yellow for more than two-thirds of their length, the moment comes when you need to dig up the tulip bulbs. Specific dates may vary for different varieties, locations, weather conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on the state of the plant. In cases where flowers are bred industrially, and it is necessary to quickly free up the land for new plantings, the bulbs are dug up immediately after flowering. But there is a danger that next year they will be weak. It is also not recommended to expect the complete death of the aerial part of the plant, because during this time the valuable bulb itself can become infected with infectious diseases and rot. And the overgrown children will gain strength and begin to break away from the parental root, when diggingthey are more difficult to collect. It is believed that the best time to dig up tulip bulbs after flowering is in June-July.
How to care for dug up bulbs
First of all, it is necessary to sort the received material. Sick or spoiled, as well as too small and weak, are subject to rejection. Leaves should be carefully removed to prevent infection. Peel the bulbs themselves from root scales, rinse in a weak solution of foundationazole or potassium permanganate and lay them out to dry in a container in one layer, be sure to sign the varieties. The material should be stored in a cool dry place. The temperature is desirable 20 degrees, and with the onset of autumn even lower, about 17. It is also necessary to regularly inspect the bulbs so that moisture and decay do not occur. So they should be stored until the moment when it is time to plant them in the ground again in the fall.
The question "when to dig up tulip bulbs after flowering" worries flower growers for a reason. This is especially important for varietal, expensive plants. Those semi-wild tulips that grow in summer cottages without much care can remain in the ground for several years. But the owners must be prepared for the fact that they will become small and lose their charm.
