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Tulips are one of the first signs of spring. These beautifully colored flowers offer a spectacular sight when planted in great numbers, but you can achieve the same effect when planting tulips in containers.
Tulips are bulbs, which mean that the whole plant lies dormant for months in the bulb, and starts growing when the conditions necessary for growth are given to them. There are many different colors and shapes of tulips to choose from. Planting tulips in containers is basically the same as planting them directly on the soil; the only difference is that you must pay more attention to its water needs, since water evaporates more quickly from containers.
Planting tulips in containers is one of the easiest, most rewarding experiences. Tulips do well in a variety of soil types, but you can achieve the best results if you plant them in rich, loose, well-drained soil. Make sure the container has good drainage, and then fill it with the appropriate potting mix. After this, you should make the hole for the bulb. A good rule of thumb when planting bulbs is to make a hole that is at least twice as long as the bulb. It is important not to leave any air between the soil and the base of the bulb, because doing this can spell trouble. You must make sure the hole is wide enough so that the base of the bulb rests against the soil. Then cover the bulb with soil and water lightly. Place in a sunny spot, and continue watering every time the soil dries up.
After a couple of weeks, you should be able to see the beginnings of the leaves sprouting from the soil. Continue to water, but remember not to water too much, or else the bulb may rot. When the flower appears, you can fertilize the plant with a good fertilizer once a week. The flower lasts about 20 days. When it’s gone, you should leave the bulb intact and let the leaves wither. In fact, all the nutrients contained in the leaves are going back to the bulb, making it bigger and stronger for the following year’s growth. When the leaves are completely dry, you can either leave them in the soil, in a cool, dry place, or take them out being very careful not to damage them, and store them in a cool, dry place until you plant them again in a year’s time. Planting tulips in containers is as easy as that, and as long as you keep the dormant bulbs away from water, you will have many seasons of flowering tulips.
Planting tulips in containers is so easy that it would be a good project to carry out with your children. It will teach them a lot about nature and growth, and it will fill your house with color at the same time! Buy some bulbs when you have the chance, plant them following these instructions, and you will be pleasantly surprised!
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about Plant Propagation and gardening articles at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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