Can my bulbs be saved?

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rosymom Plympton, MA(Zone 6a) Jan 14, 2011

I bought several tulip bulbs in the fall and was never able to plant them. They are still firm and in good shape. Is there anything I can do to save them for planting in the spring? Can I pot them up and put them in a refrigerator, or is it too late? I live in Massachusetts.

Thanks!

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Doug9345 Durhamville, NY(Zone 5b) Jan 15, 2011

The important part is to get them somewhere wheres it's about 40 degrees or less. I don't remember the exact temperature. You can pot them if you want. Some have worked when I planted them as early as I could in the sring and some haven't.

So pot them up and keep them cool for around 12 or 14 weeks and they should flower.

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Plant_Land Kalispell, MT(Zone 4a) Jan 15, 2011

Tulips need 14-16 weeks of chilling some where that it is 35-40 degrees and then 8-10 weeks to bloom. Once you have chilled the bulbs for that long of time, you would need to plant them in some kind of container. Pot your bulbs at least 4” deep in potting soil that will drain well. In pots, you can put bulbs ‘cheek to cheek’; they will not mind being crowded. Water them in thoroughly and put them in a cold spot in your house. They do not need light at this time. Check your pots weekly for water and keep the soil barely moist and never soggy. Typically, after 8 weeks or so, your bulbs will come up through the soil. They may appear pale without light but will green up quickly when you take them out. When they are about two weeks from flowering, move them to a warm and bright spot in the house. Keep them well watered. The flower display will last longer in a spot out of direct sunlight and with temperatures below 70oF. When your bulbs are through flowering, keep them in their pots until the leaves have faded out. Then cut the leaves down and put the pots back in their cool spot until late summer when you can harvest the bulbs to plant out in the yard.

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rosymom Plympton, MA(Zone 6a) Jan 15, 2011

Thank you very much - I will chill them right away.

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