Can I plant my tulip bulbs outside now? They were chilled..

I didnt get all my tulips planted in the fall and put the others in the fridge. All the ones outside are starting to come through the ground. I know I can force the others inside but I'm wondering if I could plant the chilled bulbs outside? If so would I plant them 6" or not as deep?

If they have had at least 10 weeks of cold, yes you can. Planting depth in the ground is the same whether they have gotten their cold period outside or in your refrigerator.

Awesome. I will get them out tomorrow hopefully.. I loaded up on some already in progress from Lowes this past Friday. So I have my work cut out for me tomorrow.

Angel, I would be interested to hear how they do. However, I have always read that tulips need to establish special roots in the fall to allow them to develop and flower properly in the spring. I don't think just a dry cold treatment is enough. I usually plant mine in mid-December here but no later than around Christmas. Unfortunately, with the exception of the species tulips, most are annuals in our area anyway and will likely not return. I just don't want you to have false hope, and if they don't perform I just want you to know why. But, best of luck to you and maybe I'll be wrong this time!!

YOu know I have read that also lately. They need some fall roots. I guess we'll see. Although I hurt my neck yesterday helping arrange chairs at a church so I may not be planting anything. :-( I'm just happy to know Lowe's carrys them already started so I wont have to miss out on more tulips. I will probably save off the others in the fridge until next year.

So do most people plant them in the fall and then dig them up after the foliage has died down? Can I clean them off and chill them for the next season?

Is the reason they dont come back around Texas because our winters arent that cold?? Sorry I'm full of questions but I appreciate everyones help.

Hi Angel,

Never a stupid question - I ask 'em all the time and there is so much I do not know!!

Yes, of all the bulbs out there and most perennials that need winter chill, tulips need the coldest and most extensive chill, and most of TX and most other parts of the south just cannot provide those conditions. They also prefer very dry summers. There are species varieties that do well here, but classic tulips do not perennialize well here. Now I HAVE had some return on regular tulips before.....once even had 16 of 20 white "Purissima" emperor tulips return a second year and about 5 after three years, which impressed the heck out of me. I would say I get maybe a 10% return normally, and I tend to plant mine very deeply - at least 7 or 8 inches. The problem is, tulips here tend to divide and you end up with a bunch of small bulbs and leaves that cannot flower, and if you do get flowers, they tend to be small and stunted.

Other spring bulbs such as hyacinths and daffodils require a less intense and less extensive period of chill than tulips, which is why they perfoprm much better for us in north Texas - most varieties of those do well here and will return if planted in an appropriate (i.e. well drained area) that remains fairly dry in summertime. Of the crocus groups, Vernus crocus require fairly significant chill, whereas the Crysanthus, Tommasinius andother species crocuses do fine here with what our climate offers.

You can pull tulips and chill them for next season, and some people (who have the energy to do so) do that - but make sure you wait until the foliage withers completely as the photosynthesis "recharges" the bulb for the following year. Keep dry and dark until you are ready to refrigerate the following fall. I would plant again before the end of December.

I don't know how the bulbs you currently have not planted will fare if refrigerated from now until next fall, so let us know how that goes if you decide to do that as opposed to planting now. I am not trying to rain on your parade, I just think that planting this late would be an exercise in futility as tulips are normally sprouting now if planted at the normal time, and I don't think they'd perform well.

If you do plant tulips again, you'll find single late (or "French") varieties perform the best in this area and bloom in late March or April.

Good luck, and keep us posted!!!

Steve

Ok, I know I posted a question last night about my tulips and the snow.. I cant find it now.. Steve can you tell me if my tulips will survive the snow/freeze we had last night?? Alot of mine were already coming up. I'm new to bulbs so I wasnt sure what to do..

Angela

HI Angel,

Absolutely yes they'll be fine. Sometimes the heaviness of the snow may cause a few to lean over, but the temps were nowhere near cold enough to do any damage. Most spring bulbs are extremely tough and can handle temps of -30 and -40 F if not sprouted, but even if sprouts develp I've had them do fine into the low 20's if the flowers are still closed and mid/upper-20's with open flowers.

Steve, what about potting up tulips and keeping them in the fridge for another 8 or 10 weeks before bringing them into the house... do you think that would work to force blooms? I've got a few that were supposed to be potted up and chilled in December, but they're still just bagged in the fridge... hate to see them go to waste... I meant to send them to a friend in southern CA! Hmmm, maybe if I pot them, chill them some more, then send them (sprouting) to her in an well insulated box... she can have midsummer tulips in her house! Hmm.

I agree that would be worth a shot to "trick" them, critterologist - that is a good idea. I think the chances of success would definitely be better than just planting them outside directly this late. Let us know what happens if you choose to do that!