Tulips are the harbingers of spring, sunny mood and the opening of the summer season. Bouquets of flowers have become a kind of symbol of the main women's holiday on March 8. Summer residents have a special love for these flowers, because it is so nice to see in their spring, in their area, a variety of tulip species.
Currently, more than three thousand different species and varieties of tulips are known, however, only about 100 species are most popular. It is important not only to love, but also to be able to properly propagate tulips. Growing and caring for them is not such a difficult task, but, as in any other business, some skills are required here. Today we will talk about how to grow these delicate flowers on the site and at home.
Outdoor Tulip Growing
When choosing a place for planting flowers, pay attention to the following: flowers do not like direct sunlight and strong drafts. Low places prone to flooding are also not suitable for landing. Having decided on the place, make sure that the soil is well fertilized, if necessary, do this about a week before planting the bulbs.
Tulip bulbs are planted in the fall, when the temperature drops to 6-100C. This is approximately the end of September - the beginning of October. Before planting, selected healthy bulbs are soaked for 30 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The distance between the rows should be about 15 cm, and between the bulbs about 10 cm. Care after this is practically reduced to zero. True, if the autumn is arid, then the bulbs must be watered, and to protect against frost, cover with spruce paws. Throughout the winter, the bulbs will be at rest, thereby preparing for the flowering period.
When spring comes, the tulips will begin to sprout, and after a couple of weeks they will bloom. At this time, it is necessary to carry out two dressings: as soon as the buds appear and when the flowers fall. Be sure to monitor the soil moisture, and also periodically loosen it.
When the leaves of the tulips turn yellow, it is time to dig up the bulbs. After they are removed from the ground, they should be dried in the open air in the shade (1-2 days). After that, the bulbs are placed in boxes and stored in a dark, well-ventilated room.
Thus, you can grow a wide variety of tulips, the cultivation and care of most varieties is no different. Just imagine how beautiful you will have in the spring at the cottage!
Growing Tulips at Home
Recently, growing tulips at home has been very popular. Just imagine, outside the window there is snow and frost, and real beauty reigns in your room, and all because tulips have blossomed. Growing and caring indoors is not very difficult, and you will see for yourself.
If you want to enjoy the beauty of these flowers already in February, then select early low-growing varieties for planting. Before planting, keep the bulbs in the refrigerator for some time so that shoots appear. Then drop them in a long box in one or two rows. Of course, the soil should be well fertilized. Make sure that plants are not exposed to direct sunlight, and there are no open drafts. Indoor tulips really do not like dry air, so their leaves should be sprayed with warm water several times a day. Watering is moderate, depending on how quickly the earth dries. After flowering ends, the bulbs should be dug up, and their subsequent planting should be carried out only in open ground, since they will no longer bloom again in room conditions. Dry the bulbs and store them in a cool place until autumn.
Tulips, the cultivation and care of which you will carry out correctly, will give you truly spring beauty. Having tried to grow them once, you are unlikely to abandon this venture.