Caring for Tulips
Tulips, the genus name has nearly hundred species of bulbous plants. These are basically meant for indoor use but the glamorous hybrids could be used as nice indoor plants.The best quality has small leaves, large flowers and tiny flower stalks. Their shape is oval with a pointed end wrapped in a thin chest nut brown skin.
This skin contains cream colored bulb and could be opened very easily. They are found mostly in pink, red, purple yellow orange or white colors and invariably have green or streaked or striped shades in a number of combinations.
The best time to plant tulip bulb is early fall. If they are planted at this time they will bear charming indoor flowers sometime in the mid of the winter and latest by the end of the winter. The container to hold them should be waterproof or if pots and pans are being used they should have drainage holes so that excess of water may not get stucked. To have gorgeous result they need to be planted in a bunch of about six bulbs together provided each oÂne of them is so arranged that it is a little away from the other. The tips of the bulbs should be kept rising above the well moistened potting mixture. The ideal mixture recommended by experts is a peat based potting mixture or bulb fiber mixture. In case bulb fiber is used, care should be taken that it is moistened wholesomely but excess water should be drained before planting the bulbs.
The key to flourishing of tulip is absence of light and warmth that help to develop an ideal root system prior to coming up of top flower growth. So, care should be taken that the place, where these flowers are planted, is in a dark enclosure where the mercury will not rise above 50 degree F but oÂn the contrary it should not fall below freezing point. The growers who are commercial in their approach plunge their pots in the ground outdoors under a thick layer of humidified peat moss. Alternatively, each pot or container could be wrapped in a black plastic bag and placed in a balcony with a shade or attached to a window ledge.
Although no special feeding is required, proper watering at regular interval is imperative so that the mixture continually remain damped.
Theses flowers need to remain in cool darkness as long as leaves with two to three inches in height have not come out. This might require nearly 2-2 and half month’s time. With the coming up of leaves in the above size, plants could be exposed to moderate light and a little higher temperature. At this stage watering should be continued in a similar manner as earlier i.e. as and when necessary. It is recommended to keep them in a temperature below 55 degree till the flower stalks grow to a height of 3-4 inches and the buds get out of foliage. The temperature limit might go oÂn increasing gradually as the flowers bloom and flourish but at no stage temperature higher than 60 degree is advised. To enjoy the freshness and beauty of these flowers for a longer time care must be taken that they do not receive excess warmth. Excess warmth cause damage to them, impair their attractive appearance and often make them fade and droop.
This flower has just a single growth in indoor enclosures. oÂnce faded, it can not be revived. But if the bulbs are grown outdoor flower-recovery is possible in years to follow.
The best tulips for indoor use are those that flourish and bloom in winter. They are of two types. The first has early-flowering single tulips and the second has early-flowering double tulips. Both these types have attractive bloom and rise to a height of almost 14 inches and bear flowers that are 5 inches across.