Many flower growers make one and the same mistake: either they dig up tulips too early, or they put this matter off until the end of summer. In the first case the bulb has not yet managed to accumulate nutrients, and in the second — the risk of rotting, fungal diseases and loss of planting material increases.
How to understand that the time has come
The best guideline is not the calendar, but the state of the plant.
Start digging when:
- the leaves have yellowed by approximately two thirds;
- the stem has become soft and bends easily;
- the scales of the bulb have acquired a light-brown colour.
Green leaves still work for the future bulb, so there is no need to hurry.
How to dig correctly
Choose a dry day without rain. With a shovel or fork dig the plant a little from the side so as not to accidentally damage the bulbs. Then carefully shake off the soil and separate the baby bulbs.
If the soil is very moist, do not hurry to immediately put the bulbs into boxes. Let them dry a little in the air in a shaded place.
What to do after digging
Do not cut the leaves immediately. Leave them for a few days until they finally dry. Exactly at this time the nutrients pass into the bulb.
After that:
- clean from soil remains;
- select damaged and soft bulbs;
- if desired, treat with a fungicide or a weak solution of potassium permanganate;
- dry thoroughly for 7–10 days.
How to store until autumn
Store the bulbs in one layer or in paper bags or wooden boxes. The room should be dry, well ventilated and protected from the sun.
The optimal temperature in the first weeks is about +20…+23 °C, and closer to planting it is desirable to lower it to +15…+17 °C.
Do not use polyethylene bags — without access to air the bulbs quickly become damp and can start to rot.
The correctly chosen moment of digging and several simple storage rules will help preserve the planting material until autumn without losses. And in spring the tulips will reward with large buds, strong stems and bright flowering that will decorate any flowerbed.