Planting tulips in autumn has its own peculiarities. How to ensure that bulbs planted for the winter not only stay alive, do not freeze, but also successfully germinate on time? What is better not to do when planting tulips in the fall?
If you decided to plant in the fall, you can expect them to bloom in the spring. But sometimes it happens that the bulbs have been planted and the tulips are not. identifies what could have gone wrong.
Incorrect planting time
If you plant the bulbs too early, they may begin to sprout, and the coming frosts may damage the seedlings and they will die. If it is too late, the tulips may not have time to recover. Planting them in time in this case means catching the moment when the soil temperature at a depth of 15 cm reaches about 10°C. These are ideal conditions for planting tulip bulbs.
Improper location for planting
The choice of location is also important. Tulips should not be planted in low-lying areas, as water accumulates there, which can cause rotting of the bulbs, which can later lead to their death during the winter due to freezing.
For planting, you should choose a place that is well lit by the sun in spring, with fertile and light-structured soil. In no case should tulips be planted in acidic soil or in the same place where they previously grew. It is recommended to wait 3-4 years before planting tulips in the same place.
Improper selection of planting material
For planting in open ground, it is recommended to choose bulbs with a diameter of 3-4 cm. If the bulb is larger than 4 cm, it is more suitable for breeding at home. Tulip bulbs should be dry, hard and firm, without cracks or blemishes. Only such planting material is considered healthy and suitable for planting.
Failure to follow the planting algorithm
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Complex mineral fertilizers, wood ash and well-decomposed compost are added to the soil before planting. In heavier soils, coarse river sand is added to the planting holes. In no case should you use fresh manure, as it can infect the bulbs with fungal diseases and attract pests.
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To repel rodents, the bulbs are sprinkled with freshly ground red pepper.
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Before planting, the bulbs must be disinfected (stained) by immersing them in a pink 0.5% solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour.
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When planting bulbs, the larger ones are placed in the center and the smaller ones are placed around the perimeter. This will not only give a neat appearance, but also allow the smaller ones to grow in the sun.
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When planting bulbs, do not press them into the ground. They should be placed in pre-prepared holes, slightly pressed to the ground. If the bulbs are planted upside down, they will use more energy to grow and flowering will be delayed.
Wintering without mulch
If the bulbs were not mulched in the fall, their peduncles will be weak and the flowers will be small. If the winter is cold, the small bulbs may freeze. To avoid this, cover the tulips with mulch and cover them with fir branches.
Which mulch to choose?
It is especially important to mulch your plants if you are late planting or if you are planting sensitive Dutch varieties. When the first frosts appear, add a 5-10 cm layer of peat or compost.
