Â鶹Éç

Garden clinic  permalink

Can I plant tulip bulbs in pots now?

• Message 1. 

  Posted by Katarina (U15160526) on Friday, 24th February 2012

  Hello,
  
  I'm a gardening novice and would be very grateful for some advice! I was given some tulip bulbs in January and am wondering if it's too late to plant them in pots now for the spring? If not, is there anything in particular I should bear in mind when planting?
  
  Many thanks!
  
  Katarina

  Link to this forum: Can I plant tulip bulbs in pots now?

  Report message1

• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Friday, 24th February 2012

  Katarina
  
  Welcome to the boards
  
  Get your tulips in as soon as you possibly can-they should have been planted 3 months ago-if you plant now you should get something this year but obviously later than normal- and with good fortune they will flower at the normal time next year
  
  But you must not delay-they will not keep.
  
  Hope that helps

  Link to this forum: Can I plant tulip bulbs in pots now?

  Report message2

• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by jo4eyes (U13654107) on Friday, 24th February 2012

  Providing the bulbs are still firm & not mouldy they should at least put on some growth this year. If they flower or not this year you will need to feed them as the leaves begin to die back. This should help the bulb to re-stock on nutrients ready for next year. Or you could plant them out into a spare bit of the garden to die back- mark their position though.
  
  One snag though, tulips are often reluctant to flower a 2cnd year. Some do, others not. If grown in pots often best to dispose of after flowering.
  
  BTW dont put into your compost bin, if you have one, as they dont rot down easily & to quote Helen Yemm 'they come back to haunt you'! Oh so true.... J.

  Link to this forum: Can I plant tulip bulbs in pots now?

  Report message3

• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by TomBradbury (U3349234) on Saturday, 25th February 2012

  I was given some tulips bulbs in January - I only planted them 3 weeks ago! I had to throw a few away because they were mouldy, and probably the spores got to the rest, but I planted them anyway. If they grow/flower then not a complete waste, but if not, at least I gave them a go. Becuase of the risk of mould, I'll just dump the bulbs with their compost in the green garden recycling bin.
  
  I did read once that tulips are only guaranteed to flower for one year and after that, it is pot luck.

  Link to this forum: Can I plant tulip bulbs in pots now?

  Report message4

• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by Katarina (U15160526) on Saturday, 25th February 2012

  Thank you everyone for your very helpful replies! I don't know if I can reply to all in this way but I'll post this and see what happens.
  
  I'll plant them now and keep my fingers crossed!
  
  Katarina

  Link to this forum: Can I plant tulip bulbs in pots now?

  Report message5

• Message 6

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by saffron (U15162855) on Saturday, 25th February 2012

  I would go ahead - I planted some tulip bulbs in February which I bought half price from a garden centre and they all flowered. Just make sure you plant them deep enough to anchor the bulb. They usually only flower once though and have to be renewed each year.

  Link to this forum: Can I plant tulip bulbs in pots now?

  Report message6

Back to top