Everything You Need To Know About Storing Your Tulip Bulbs
Nothing says spring like tulips, and many gardeners love that the gorgeous blooms come back each year with no replanting required.
But some people still opt to remove these perennials anyway, digging up their tulip bulbs to store them throughout the summer.
There are a couple of different reasons for this. Primarily, it can prevent critters, like squirrels and voles, from eating the bulbs. Secondly, for people who live in areas with extremely hot summers and mild winters, storing the bulbs in a cooler place is crucial for their survival.
After all, tulips require an extended period of cooler temperatures to enter dormancy and develop a mature root system.
No matter which problem you’re looking to combat, here’s everything you need to know about storing your tulip bulbs.
Store Tulip Bulbs For Beautiful Blooms Next Season
The best time to dig up tulip bulbs is after the foliage has become yellow and died back, which typically occurs in late spring or early summer. As you dig, be careful not to damage the bulb with your tools.
Once they’re out of the ground, you should use your hands to brush off excess soil. Just avoid washing them off with any water, as that may lead to rotting.
Then, it’s time for the bulbs to dry out. Lay them in a single layer in an area of your home that’s well-ventilated, dry, and has no direct sunlight. You can leave them there for a week or two, and the drying process will firm up the bulbs and mitigate mold growth.
knelson20 – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only – pictured above are a variety of tulips
Afterward, if you notice any bulbs look shriveled, soft, or have mold, you can throw them out. As for the healthy bulbs, place them in brown paper bags.
Plastic bags can actually result in rotting, while brown paper bag material helps absorb moisture. So, don’t opt for plastic. Another alternative is using a box that’s equipped with ventilation holes.
Finally, leave your tulip bulbs in a dry environment with controlled temperatures and no humidity. Storing them in the dark is ideal as well.
Some good storage spaces in your home may include your garage, closet, basement, or refrigerator, as long as they aren’t humid and temperatures don’t change drastically.
Also, when it comes to the refrigerator, be wary of putting your tulip bulbs with any fruit that releases ethylene while ripening, such as avocados, apples, pears, bananas, and more, as this can cause rotting. And bulbs shouldn’t be left in the fridge for any longer than 14 weeks prior to planting.
Tulip bulbs require several weeks of temperatures in the range of 30 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Without this chilly period, you may notice your tulip stems are shorter, and the size of their blooms is smaller.
People in hotter climates or who have less harsh winters can always buy pre-chilled tulips. Either way, come fall, it will be time to plant your bulbs again.
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