anyone know anything about tulips?

[katie moss]

The year before last I planted over 40 tulip bulbs. That following spring every single one came up and bloomed. This year they all came back up but only 2 bloomed. Does anyone know why? Winter weather was normal.

[rainbowgardener]

Could be any of several things:

1) they didn't get enough chilling. Tulips are generally rated for zones 3-8 and it looks like you are in zone 8. That means that you are right on the edge of where they can grow. If you had a slightly warm winter, they might not have had enough chilling.

2) they were just spent. Many tulips are grown as annuals, just dig them up and compost them after they bloom. Look for tulips that are specified as long lived or for naturalizing. Darwin Hybrid tulips are one variety that will come back and bloom, year after year.

3) the bulb didn't store enough energy to make blooms. Be sure you leave the leaves on the plant until they have turned brown and withered. When they do bloom, cut the flower stalk off after the flower is done so it doesn't make seed. Be sure it's planted deep enough and feed it with compost or bulb food.

Here's a reference:

https://www.donnan.com/tulips.htm

[katie moss]

Thanks for the tips. I did #3. and our winter was as cold as the one before. It probaly was #2. I got the bulbs at Lowes..so who knows how much life was in them. By the way, I thought I was in zone 7..I'm in 8? I never was quite sure.

[rainbowgardener]

I'm not sure about that, because I don't know SC all that well, but here's a link to a SC zone map that will tell you:

https://www.growit.com/bin/USDAZoneMaps.exe?MyState=SC