One of the most beautiful and colorful flowers, the tulip is a bulbous plant native to Central Asia that blooms in spring. Its name comes from the Turkish word “dulban”, which means “turban”, due to its similarity with the shape that the flower adopts when it is closed.
It has more than 150 species of various colors and sizes and is used to decorate any space, since it has the ability to grow both in water and on land. Therefore, an ideal option for those who do not have large spaces or a garden to plant them in is to grow them in pots or glass containers. In addition, the tulip has the advantage of being one of the most resistant plants, so it will not require large care.
With the help of these practical tips, you can brighten up your home with the tones of these beautiful flowers that will welcome spring.
The cultivation of tulips is simple since their bulbs contain enough nutrients, so they do not need excessive care. In regions with very cold winters, they are planted in late fall and flower in mid-spring. On the other hand, in warm regions they are usually planted at the beginning of spring to flower at the beginning of summer. Tulips can reach between 30 and 60 centimeters and their flowers take approximately three weeks to dry.
Among the most chosen species are: Darwin, botanists or parrots. Their great variety means that they can be planted both in gardens and in indoor pots. Therefore, in principle you must decide what type of tulip you want.
before planting
You can get the bulbs of this flower in any nursery. The larger they are, the larger the tulip will be.
Once you get them, you will need to incubate them for about 12 weeks in the refrigerator because they originate from cold climates. This rest period must be respected equally for all bulbs, regardless of the type of cultivation, in soil or hydroponic (in water).
How to plant tulips in pots
1) The pot you use should be large enough so that the tulips can be comfortably located and have holes in its base to facilitate drainage. If you plant several in the same container, try to leave 5 cm between them.
2) Prepare the substrate with fertile soil.
3) Hollow out where each bulb is located individually.
4) Plant the bulbs with the roots down. The planting depth should be 2 or 3 times greater than the height of the bulb.
5) Cover with the substrate.
6) Water.
hydroponic cultivation
1) Instead of a pot, use a glass container. Take care that the mouth is wide enough so that the bottom quarter of the bulb is in contact with the water.
2) At the base, place some stones and, on top, the bulbs.
3) Pour water into the container. Only the root zone has to be in contact with it and you should try to change it regularly.
4) Place a handful of extra stones around the bulbs. Make sure they are facing up and that the stones do not exceed the middle of his body.
5) Place the container in a place with sufficient ventilation and light.
The roots will be in charge of finding the way until they reach the bottom water. After 2 or 3 weeks the bulbs will start to break and you will see the stem grow.
How to care for tulips
1) Light. They should receive at least 4 hours of natural light. Tulips are very sensitive to heat and prefer places with little direct light; choose a shady or semi-shady spot.
2) Irrigation. You must water the bulbs abundantly once planted in the pot or in the glass containers. The watering they require is moderate and regular. Avoid excess water or dryness.
3) Temperature. Once they have flowered, the ideal temperature should be between 13°C and 18°C. In cool environments, flowering will last longer.
4) Cold. Take care of your tulips from drafts or very dry environments.
5) In the case of using water containers, leave the bulb in a dark place for about a month and a half and then place it next to a window so that it receives natural light.
Once the flower has wilted, cut off the main stem but not the leaves, this way the bulb will be strong enough to use again. When the leaves also dry, save it until next fall to replant it.
Freshness and color in your environments
Tulips are an alternative to decorate the interior of your home, even if you have small spaces. In addition to the color of its flowers, its leaves will also add beauty with their lanceolate shapes. You can place them on wooden furniture, in front of windows or in pots distributed in the environments to which you want to bring joy and color. Also, if you choose to grow them in glass containers you will have a natural spectacle of the growth of their stems, bulbs and roots.