Tulips are beautiful flowers that bloom in spring. Typically, tulips grow best when their bulbs are left in the ground all year round, but the climate in your area may not be suitable - if you live in a region where winters aren't harsh or you bought the bulbs in spring, you may need to store them so they are ready to flower next season.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Unearth the Bulbs
Step 1. Cut the stem with the pruning shears after the flower has died
Once the flower has lost its petals, use a pair of pruning shears to cut the flowering stem from the bulb to prevent the bulb from using more energy than necessary. Cut as close to the base of the bulb as possible.
Leave the leaves; they help store energy for the next season
Step 2. Pull the bulbs out of the ground once the leaves turn yellow and die
After the flowering period, tulip leaves take around 6 weeks to yellow and die. During this phase, the bulb collects from the sun the energy it needs to flower the following spring. Once all the leaves are dead, you can take the bulb out of the ground or pot.
- Do not overwater the bulbs while the leaves are yellowing. A little rain is fine, but if the soil is too wet the bulbs will start to rot.
- Loosen the soil around the bulb with a garden shovel and remove the bulb.
Step 3. Remove the leaves and roots at the base of the bulb
The leaves should be easy to remove by hand, as they are dead. If not, you can use a pair of pruning shears or sharp scissors to cut the leaves and roots. Cut as close to the bulb as possible without damaging it.
Step 4. Clean the bulbs of dirt using a paper towel
Clean the outer layer of the bulbs with a dry paper towel. Remove any dirt or worms that may be present. This also helps the bulbs dry out faster.
The outer layer of the bulb may die if it is browned or shows signs of rot, so rub it gently with paper to remove it
Step 5. Let the bulbs dry on a tray in a cool, dry place for two days
Keep the bulbs in a dry place out of the sun for a couple of days. The ideal would be to place the tray inside the garage or in a shaded area outside.
If the bulbs are stored in the sun or in humid conditions, they will retain their moisture and may rot
Step 6. Throw away any discolored or diseased bulbs
Look carefully at the bulbs you pulled out of the soil and check for any stains, which may suggest the presence of rot or disease. Tulip bulbs should be full and firm, not soft and wilted.
Small spots of rot can be removed with a sharp knife previously sterilized with a household disinfectant, such as diluted bleach, denatured alcohol, or white vinegar
Part 2 of 2: Storing the Bulbs Properly
Step 1. Wrap each bulb in newspaper
Wrap the bulbs one by one in small sheets of newspaper, which help retain some moisture and keep them at a constant temperature.
You can also store the bulbs in sphagnum peat or sawdust for a similar effect
Step 2. Place the bulbs in a mesh bag
A mesh bag allows air to flow between the bulbs during their storage. You can reuse an old onion bag without having to buy a new one.
Alternatively, you can use a paper bag or cardboard box to keep the bulbs out of the light
Step 3. Store the bulbs in a dark, dry place for up to 12 weeks
A garage or basement is perfect for storing bulbs, as long as the temperature never drops below freezing. Keep the bulbs out of light, otherwise they will start growing prematurely.
Step 4. Store the bulbs in the fruit and vegetable drawer of a refrigerator if you live in a warm climate
If the temperature in your area never drops below 10 ° C, you may need to cool the bulbs in the refrigerator. Keep them in the fruit and vegetable drawer, so that the refrigerator light does not illuminate them.
Avoid storing tulip bulbs alongside apples or other fruits, as the release of ethylene could kill the flower inside the bulb
Step 5. Check for shriveled or moldy bulbs every two weeks
Keep an eye on the bulbs during storage. If newspaper sheets (or the materials you used to wrap them) look rotten or moldy, throw them away and replace them.
If the bulbs look shriveled or smaller than before, use a spray bottle to gently mist them
Step 6. Plant the bulbs in the fall before the first frost
Tulips are usually planted between 6 and 8 weeks before the first frost, but they can also be planted in early spring, just in time for them to bloom. Plant the bulbs in September or October if there are cold winters in your area. If, on the other hand, you need to cool the bulbs, plant them in late February or early March.
