need tips for the best care of my tulip bulbs...

[Spongegirl]

Greetings from Kentucky! I got some tulip bulbs in a basket gifted from my grandmother's funeral. They are still blooming. I want to make sure these tulips last forever. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on caring for them. I have never had tulips before but I do have a green thumb. Do they multiply? Do I keep watering them after the bloom dies? I think they are planted in the fall, it that right? Thanks much!

[Kisal]

Unfortunately, tulips don't last forever. The bulbs will produce little bulblets, but they have to grow for a few years before they're big enough to bloom. Tulips also require a period of cold before they will bloom. Depending on how cold the winters get in your area, you might have to dig them up each year and chill them in your refrigerator.

We have had many discussions about tulips and their care. You can find them by using the Search the Forum function on the black tool bar at the top of the page. Just click on that and type tulips into the search box.

Here are a few to get you started:

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=181564&highlight=tulips#181564

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=161116&highlight=tulips#161116

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=120147&highlight=tulips#120147

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=180392&highlight=tulips+411#180392

But there are whole lot more.

[applestar]

I plant all potted spring bulbs we get at Easter from my MIL either as soon as we get them or as soon as flower show is over -- as long as the ground is not frozen. OK I lied -- sometimes I leave them outside in protected area for a while. Prepare the planting hole the same way you would when planting spring bulbs in the fall. You would deadhead the spent blooms, of course.

Anyway, planting them in the ground ensures that they get the chance to stretch their roots and nourish their foliage -- in turn, storing up energy in the bulbs -- until they die back in the summer. Crocuses and daffodils come back next year and multiply. Hyacinth will also come back, though sometimes with sparse blossom set. Tulips come back sometimes but not always flower. I think I depends on the variety.

It's possible that if you lavish care on them for optimum foliar growth after bloom, they would have a better chance. But the accepted common practice is to replace tulip bulbs every year and treat them as annuals.

[bullthistle]

When you plant bulbs always throw in a good hanful of bone meal because it will produce better root growth and stimulate the bulbs.

[Austin]

water them once a week