Forcing Tulip bulbs to bloom year after year in a non tulip zone?

Question

I bought some Darwin tulip bulbs last October in Dallas, Tx and I brought them to my tropical country and I forced them to start blooming right in this month. I putted them in the fridge for 3 months and now I planted them in a big pot that can accomodate them well. 18 of 20 bulbs grew and already 4 are producing flowers.

I want know if I can keep doing this year after year, and what is the perfect way to make them bloom well and profusely? I want to know the total procedure in order to avoid any mistake. I heard that you have to leave all leaves until they get dry then you can take them from the soil and repeat the sequence.

Thanks to everybody!!

Edgar Rossal

Answer 1

I live in Australia and most people have to do what you did with tulips to grow them well here. If you leave them in the ground permanently they grow oddly, stunted and the flower stalk is a lot shorter.

After the chilling in the fridge (yes every year), which they need to duplicate the conditions in their natural environment, plant. When the bulbs start to emerge from the ground, use a good quality bulb food at the recommended rates. Remember the health of the plant during the growing period, effects the bulb, and the bulb stores energy for next year. A healthy plant this year ensures good flowering next year.

Do not remove the leaves, they are feeding the bulb, let them die down naturally

Answer 2

It relies upon on the cultivar of tulip. some tulips will come decrease back year after year, yet each and each year they're going to be a touch smaller. Many cultivars are dealt with as annuals. the first year they strengthen perfect, yet after that they are leggy and the blooms are small and deformed. maximum botanic gardens and arboretums will plant them as annuals and pull them up once they end blooming. Edit: i'm in Illinois and it does get chilly sufficient for lengthy sufficient to stratify tulips. They nevertheless do not rebloom like the first spring after planting.

Answer 3

Yes you still will have to do the refrigerator thing. Your wife may tire of bulbs in the fridge for so much of the year!
Try the types of tulip that are labeled "perennial tulips", or a different type that are labeled "species tulips". They return better in warm climates. Some bulb suppliers note in their catalogs which species tulips are better adapted to warmer winters, and I would definitely recommend sticking with their advice if trying to produce nice tulips again and again.

Answer 4

You have to buy new bulbs every year. Once a bulb has been forced, it doesn't alway bloom the next year.