I planted tulip bulbs last year--and though many sprouted green leaves, I only had two actual flowers. Life got in the way, and they ended up being in the ground all year. Now that I'm ready to plant spring flowers--are my bulbs any good, or have they died? I don't want to dig up the soil if they are still viable, but don't want to wait months without flowers to have nothing sprout. I'm in Arizona, btw...
2007-02-27 03:58:19 · 11 answers · asked by Jen-Jen 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Now I just need to remember where I scattered the bulbs....damn...
2007-02-27 04:04:56 · update #1
As a native of Arizona (now living on the east coast), I can tell you why you probably only got 2 flowers. It's too freaking hot there. Tulips need to be cold over the winter months to bloom again the next spring and unless you were in Flagstaff or one of the northern areas, it won't get cold enough. If you are in Phoenix, my home town, those tulips are probably dead. Go ahead and plant whatever you want and don't worry about it.
Normally, you do leave tulips in the ground year round. I leave mine in and they just come back year after year. So do my daffodils but it's damn near like living in Holland where I live now. Cold winters!!
2007-02-27 04:31:42 · answer #1 · answered by Faye H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tulips are meant to be in the ground all through the year I live in Montana and we have had a pretty cold spring and right now I have tulips comming up about 2 inches out of the ground if you have only had them in the ground 1 year give them another chance to bloom if you start planting and run in to a bulb just leave it alone unless the bulb looks soft if it is soft(like mushy)that means it is dead but if you do find bulbs there generally should be some green growth on them now. Go ahead and plant by the time any of your plants are big the bulbs should have been done blooming by then.
2007-02-27 05:37:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tulips are perennials and will survive the winter and grow again next year. If you plant young (small) bulbs they may not bloom the first year or so. I have lots in the ground in cold New England and they reach -10F at some time during the winter but always come up the next spring.
2007-02-27 04:03:49 · answer #3 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go ahead and plant what you want to, tulips are not long lasting bulbs anyway and often only last a season or 2. If some grow up between your new plantings - bonus.
2007-02-27 04:01:04 · answer #4 · answered by Barbados Chick 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They should still be good..up here in Northern Minnesota i have no problems with my tulips not sprouting every year..and we get -45 below zero about 6 -7 times a year ...happy planting.dang i can't wait till spring now
2007-02-27 04:04:23 · answer #5 · answered by poker_guru4life 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bulbs need a period of very cold temps for several months in order too bloom again in the Spring.(Not a problem for me here in Ohio.)
2007-02-27 04:01:39 · answer #6 · answered by MaryBeth 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you don't get cold weather which is needed to set flowers, you might try digging them up and storing them in your refrigerator for 6 - 8 weeks and then replanting them...otherwise you'll just get green leaves and no flowers.
2007-02-27 10:42:53 · answer #7 · answered by Brokn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will sprout back year after year they are perennials
2007-02-27 04:01:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not all bulbs grow you need to plant more
2007-02-27 04:05:15 · answer #9 · answered by Brigit B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My wife just leaves them alone the come up on their own. we live in a mild climate though.
2007-02-27 04:04:28 · answer #10 · answered by mark k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋