|
Well, they're not hard to grow any more. Some great new varieties
and a few simple rules to follow will have picture perfect Tulips
in your garden this Spring.
 Tulips are no longer just suited to the coldest areas of Australia,
such as Tasmania and the highlands of Southern Australia. Varieties
now available known as Single Late Tulips require less winter
chilling to produce tall 60cm plus stems and large bold flower
heads. Varieties that fit this category are sold in a wide range
of colours from white to almost black. I would encourage anybody
south of the sub-tropics that likes Tulips to give them a try.
Varieties known to perform well include Maureen (white), Dordonge
(apricot), Peking (deep pink), Toyota (deep red), Ollioules (light
pink), Avignon (orange) and Queen of the Night (burgundy/black).
Several others are also available however good stockists will
categorise or label them as Single Late or French Tulips, or sometimes
Warm Climate Tulips so you won't make a mistake.
 Other Fancy Tulips that may also perform well in a normal
climate are Burgundy Lace (cerise fringed), Maya (yellow fringed)
and Upstar (pink double). So now you know which Tulips to select.
This is the first very important step. There are however a few
other easy, yet important steps to remember for great looking
Tulips.
Purchase your bulbs by the end of March. This allows sufficient
time for a cooling treatment in the refrigerator. Chilling your
bulbs for 6-8 weeks in the crisper of the refrigerator (not freezer)
prior to planting will ensure the longest possible flower stems.
Cold areas will not require as many weeks chilling. If you don't
get your bulbs till late in Autumn still refrigerate them for
a few weeks, always leaving planting until before the third or
fourth week in May.
 As a general rule never plant out your
Tulips before early May. This gives the soil a chance to cool
down sufficiently. Whether you are storing your Tulip bulbs in
the fridge or just in the shed or cupboard, make sure the area
is well ventilated and away from ripening fruit as the ethylene
gasses given off can produce flowering disorders. It is a good
idea to keep the bulbs in the packaging they were purchased in
as this should prevent mould and fungal attack. Be sure not to
put them inside any sealed containers.
When choosing a spot to plant Tulips pick a sunny or partly shaded
location. Build up the garden beds if necessary to make sure the
area doesnt get water logged throughout winter. If the soil is
acidic (pH below 6) add some lime and mix it in (this will help
most of the plants you grow). Prior to planting is the best time
to add some fertiliser to the ground and Tulips love a combination
of Blood and Bone with a little complete fertiliser. Tulips prefer
to grow in cool soil so plant them about 20cm deep. How far apart
is up to personal taste. Personally I think clumps of at least
10 bulbs planted about 12cm apart look stunning in flower. Between
7 and 20cm apart is normal.
 Now that
they're planted and fertilised very little needs to be done until
you see buds appearing. Aphids love eating Tulips flowers so give
them a spray with a recommended insecticide. A systemic spray
that continues to circulate through the plant system for some
weeks after spraying will be more effective than the simple knock-down
kind. Your garden centre will advise on what type will be most
effective.
Getting great results from newly purchased Tulips is obviously
more simple than getting last years bulbs to perform well again
but try the following and you may be surprised.
 In
Spring don't let the ground dry out until the leaves start to
yellow. If you have cool to mild summers try leaving your Single
Late Tulip bulbs in the ground. Around Melbourne, the south coast
and Tasmania it appears to work okay for 2-3 years. What Tulips
ideally like over summer is dry ground and soil temperatures of
around 20 Celsius. In hot climates, this may be difficult to achieve
so the best thing is to try and duplicate these conditions outside
the ground.
Dig up your bulbs from mid November to mid December after the
leaves have yellowed. Brush off any excess soil and immediately
place them in a cool shaded position with good air circulation.
As previously mentioned the closer the temperature remains to
a constant 20 Celsius the better the Tulip flower will develop.
Take care to avoid subjecting your bulbs to lengthy periods of
high temperature as this can kill the developing flower and result
in leaves but no flowers the next season. While storing your bulbs
it can be a good idea to either dust them with some insecticide
or place an insect strip nearby to prevent aphids from feeding
on them prior to planting.
Once again give your old bulbs the same cold treatment in the
crisper section of the refrigerator and plant out in May. Chances
are by making the effort you'll have a great Spring Show every
year.
Check Garden Express Shop for Tulips
| 