LAUREY W. GLENN
Afterplanting their bulbs in the fall, thetulip bloomsherald the arrival of springtime.
The near-endless colors of flowers are the star of many gardens, sidewalk planters, andfront porch containers.
Once the flowers are gone, what should you do with the foliage that plays a supporting role?
Credit:LAUREY W. GLENN
Timing is everything when cutting back tulips if you want blooms the next year.
Learn the best time to cut back tulips to clean up your garden and keep the bulbs healthy.
Understanding the Tulip Growth Cycle
Tulips are grown from bulbs that are separated from a mother plant.
As the bulb matures, it stores carbohydrates to produce foliage and blooms.
Most growers purchase mature bulbs to be planted in late fall.
Once planted, the bulb grows roots to establish itself before winter.
Over the winter, the bulb rests and goes through a chilling period that helps it produce blooms.
As the weather warms, the bulbs turn starch into sugar.
As this occurs, the leaves and flower gradually push upwards out of the bulb and ground.
Depending on yourhardiness zone, tulips bloom in late March, early April, or May.
After the bloom appears, the flowers are either cut for arrangements or wither.
This prevents the plants from expending large amounts of energy to develop a seed pod.
Don’t touch the foliage yet!
This is the time to remove the leaves.
Premature removal of the plant foliage stops bulb growth and reduces the number of flowers next spring.
Apply two to three pounds of a 5-10-5 NPK fertilizer per 100 square feet of planting area.
This is particularly important if you usually overplant the space with annuals for the summer.
Always work to control weeds that compete with plants for water and nutrients.
