tulips! tulips!

Whoo hoo yipeeeeee....tulips!
Leaving lowes with bags & bags

Happy for you and your joy for bulbs. I have lots of bulbs to move around this fall. And Iris and peonies.

Yay! I just got loads of tulips too- and daffs and crocus and grape hyacinth! Wheee! :D

OK. so question.

Last year I got those jars from COSTCO where you set the tulip bubs in water and they grow like crazy...will daffys do the same thing?

(I want a reason to buy them NOW)

Ginger

and... if tulip bulbs have to freeze before they start how come the COSTCO ones grow in water? Did they freeze them first? I just started a new batch in jars on my mantle..will they grow or rot?

Anyone know?

Yep.. way too much caffine....

Ginger

I've never seen those. Sounds interesting...

If you have them in water you are forcing them. They will not be good for planting or anything else after that.

That's ok.

My uncle, who lives with us, is terminally ill and he loves to watch them grow. I bought enough to fill the house for the next couple months which is about how long he has.


Ginger

Ginger, It's been a long time since I have forced bulbs, but if I remember correctly they do have to have some cold/dark before they grow. I remember starting them in the fridge, and then moving them out after they had started to sprout. I have used both hyacinths and narcissus daffs with tons of success.

I am even going to break down and pick up some bulbs again this year. Am really not a fan of planting them, but love them when they bloom, and this year I am going to put them in cages to keep the rotton rodents out of them. Ornapet lilies, here I come!

Ginger, sorry to hear about your uncle. That is a neat thing to do for him. I just went through that with my mom in June and July. My best wishes go out to you and your family.

Thanks everyone... If they are not sprouted when I get home I'll put some in the dark freezer for a week then try again! I bought plenty!


Ginger

Not freezer! Just refridgerator.

Oh, Ginger, what a great idea for your uncle to enjoy! Big hugs for you all.

So sorry about your uncle. How wonderful that you are able to keep him with you until he passes. I think the tulips are a great idea!

I think I will have to try the fridge..any idea how long?

Ginger

This article says to keep them cool for three weeks . . .

http://www.phancypages.com/newsletter/ZNewsletter2746.htm

Thanks. I think I am going to have to do that because they are going nothing but gunking the water...

Ginger

I don't think you actually want to put the bulbs IN the water or they'll rot. It should be just below them. You'll either need a special vase with a narrow neck for the bulbs to sit on or to put rocks in a glass (it's cool to see the roots) and set the bulb on top of that.

I'm no expert, but that's what I've done.

Good luck!

You are right Katie. I have those vases from last year. They are tall and have a special plastic plate that sits the bulbs above the water.

Last year they did fine but this year the water got slimey right away and nothing's growing.

Ginger

Found this:

Use New Pots and Good Potting Soil to Prevent Grey Mold

What is grey mold?

Grey mold or botrytis cinerea is a bacterial root disease and will start on tulip roots and will attack the bulb itself and lastly will attack the stem and plant during the greenhouse phase.

Symptoms:

Grey mold can be seen in the cooler during the winter months?
Grey puffy or fuzzy mold growing on drainage holes ?
Slimy glazy roots in the bottom of the pot?

Caused by:

Long extended rooting time at 48 degrees causing excessive root formation at the bottom of the pot.
Ethylene gas build-up. Make sure your bulbs are stored in a well ventilated area or room. Your bulbs need to breathe, otherwise your flowers may abort or dry up when in the greenhouse phase.
Too clean or sterile potting mix. The growing medium used by most growers is a straight artificial growing mix. These steamed and sterilized growing mixes are too clean. Tulips need a mix of sand and good quality top soil mix capable of fighting infection.

Take Steps to AVOID GREY MOLD BY:

Always use new pots
Use the proper growing mix as described above
Root tulips until they just hit the bottom of the pot
Follow temperature schedule as described below.

http://www.netherlandbulb.com/vday-forcing.asp

I unpotted all my tulips today and put the dirt in the wheelbarrow and the bulbs on top of the dirt. After drying a little I will pot them up again in fresh dirt. They divided nicely.