Tulip Aftercare In Pots! What To Do When Flowering Is Over | Balconia Garden

[@zammyc6414]

Really good video. She explains it fast and simple, no messing about or trying to be funny like so many others. Found out what to do and will follow her instructions to a T. Thanks.

[@balconiagarden]

You're welcome, Zammy, glad it helped 😊

[@TheMonroemomma]

I came here to say the same. I so very much appreciate it when a person does a video that's short and straightforward. I detest all attempts at "folksy" anecdotes and other wastes of time. Now I know exactly what to do with my potted tulips. Thank you!!

[@daveschultz3471]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@balconiagarden]

You're welcome, Dave! 🙂

[@casandraperez6864]

I have water tulips with bulb, I don’t know how to take care of them, can you please help me, they are also now floppy

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Cassandra, you can care for tulips grown in water exactly as you would if they were planted in the soil.The floppyness is either that they're coming to the end of their growth cycle or they're not taking up enough water. Check the roots are healthy and make sure the water is cold. You can also try a mix of 1part alcoholic spirit like vodka with 7 parts water and that can perk them up!Just be aware that growing tulips or "forcing" them in water requires lots of energy and bulbs cant be forced 2 years in a row. If you want to keep the bulbs try planting them in soil at around 15 to 20 cm in autumn and they will have a better chance of recovering and flowering in the years to come. 🌷

[@spaceintel]

If you leave the tulips bulbs in the ground after flowering what will happen in the next year the size of the flower will reduce. Every year you have to take it out the bulbs from the ground after flowering and replant it. This is one of the problems dealing with tulips compare with rose plant.

[@balconiagarden]

Hello, you're right in the sense that the mother bulb will slowly start producing daughter bulbs, which reduces her energy and ability to grow each season as much of the energy she produces will go into building the daughter bulbs. You don't necessarily have to dig them up or repot them each year although some gardeners choose to buy new bulbs each year then recycle them after one season, in order to guarantee they have a full display of tulips. Eventually the daughter bulbs will grow into an adult bulb and produce a flower as large as the mother bulb. It's a personal choice although I would recommend planting new bulbs every 2-3 years for a full display. It's an interesting topic and I'll be doing a video soon discussing the pros and cons of replanting or saving bulbs 🌷

[@Warmfireandtea]

Not All. I never yank outdoor planted bulbs.

[@azicepricess]

This is the best tutorial on caring for Tulips in pots I found on KZbin.❤.

[@balconiagarden]

Thank you so much, Alice 😀 what a compliment and an honour! Glad the video helped you 🌷💚

[@geraldwalsh6489]

Im really into tulips as well...they truly are a very noble bulb! When i was a toddler here in sunny south east Ireland,my dad would grow a field full of tulips....an amazing sight. These were for selling as cut flowers in the family shops. I have abiding memories of my Mum putting the cut tulips into our bath to let them soak up the water!

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Gerald, such lovely stories and memories 😍 my mum's side is Irish so I can picture it well 🌷🌱 good luck with your future bulb endeavours 😀

[@MrSqwertery]

I did exactly what you said last year and my Tulips have came up again.. They look stunning Thanks again from a fellow Glaswegian..

[@balconiagarden]

Fantastic! That's makes me so happy to hear 😄and well done you for doing the work 💪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😄

[@helenweatherby1694]

Very informative. Thank you. Also, you have a lovely soothing voice.

[@balconiagarden]

Thank you, Helen 😃 glad the video helped 🌱

[@amethysth00]

thank you!! been looking everywhere for a video exactly like this! your film skills are 10/10. thank you! 🥰🥰

[@balconiagarden]

Thank you so much! Glad to have helped 🙂🌷

[@silversunastrology]

I feel a bit silly. So basically, when my tulips flowers start to die, I'm just supposed to dig them up?

[@balconiagarden]

Hey, you don't have to dig your tulips up, you can leave them in the the soil or containers and they'll bloom next year if its easier and more convenient. I just dig mine up because I want to use the containers for summer plants 🙂

[@silversunastrology]

@@balconiagarden Thank you! I realized that my two lips maybe a hybrid, and I had never even heard of that. Do you think they will still bloom again?

[@balconiagarden]

@@silversunastrology yes the should rebloom as long as they are healthy and then receive the cold period in the soil in autumn and winter 😀

[@aniknatsa]

Don’t they teach you this at school? How easy could that be?

[@kiwifrommars89]

Clear and easy to follow! Exactly what I needed

[@balconiagarden]

Great Hannah, glad it helped! 👍

[@kellywelly47]

If you leave them in the pots, you don’t water them again until after summer? And when do you have to water them?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Kelly, you don't need to water them over their dormancy period if you're storing them in their pots in a dark space. If you're leaving them outside you can let them get rained on, watch out for temps getting over 25°C as they prefer cooler conditions. Once you plant them out in autumn (provided they're still healthy) then you can water them after planting.

[@kellywelly47]

Thank you!

[@kishorilalkishoreda5719]

Hello lady nice work and nice channel I just bought some tulip onions from Home Depot and I put a bit of fertilizer in the holes and then I placed my tulip onions inside the hole and then I filled it with dirt or soils. Any suggestions please

[@balconiagarden]

Hello 👋 that all sounds good so far, now just make sure your bulbs are watered regularly and they should bloom in spring. I have a few videos about care of bulbs over winter, how to water etc I cant link them here but they're in the growing bulbs playlist. I'm also going to make a general bulb planting and care video so keep a look out 😃💗

[@malinikaru1087]

Thank you very much. Short and sweet. Exactly what I wanted to know. Perfect 👌

[@balconiagarden]

You're welcome, Malini! 🙂 💚

[@DivoGo]

Thank you for making this so simple. 🌷

[@balconiagarden]

You're welcome 😊 🙏

[@tinytem4551]

Literally been looking for this... thank you it's been amazing. I have one question I just lifted mine to use my pots for other plants and there are loads of mini bulbs, what do I do with them?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Tiny Tem, I'm going to try and do a video about bulb offsets if I get the time 🙈 The short answer is you can either store them with the other bulbs and then in autumn plant them into separate pots where you can keep an eye on them because they are smaller and can get lost in larger containers or in the open soil. Or you can plant them out into the open soil already and then let them grow. I would recommend planting them into pots first so you can keep an eye on them and allow them to bulk up until they are large enough to be planted with other bulbs and won't be shaded out. Hope that helps 🙂

[@hyugo88vlog75]

Do you have to water the tulips even you cut the flower?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi, no you can stop watering once you've cut the flowers 🌷🙂

[@hyugo88vlog75]

Thank you

[@SteelMagnolia99]

Very helpful!! Thank you so much!!

[@balconiagarden]

You're very welcome! 🤗

[@lpodverde]

Will potted tulips flowers the next year? Searching on google says they won't and to discard. I have some potted tulips but I don't have the heart to just throw them away.

[@balconiagarden]

That's a good question and I also wasn't sure so a few seasons ago I did some experimenting 🙂 I found that the bulbs I had bought like tulips and daffodils which were forced and planted on the top of the soil grew the following season, put out leaves but didn't flower. I left them as they were potted up and the season after they flowered. So the bulbs needed 2 years to recover because forcing costs a lot of energy. You can also plant the forced bulbs under the soil the following season and they will also recover in the same way. I also think its a shame to throw them away, I would try and save them. Hope that helps! 💚

[@usharajahrajeshwari7932]

I bought tulip buds with blooms soaked in water . .. now it is withering .. 😢can I repot in soil .. I live in Dallas.. now very hot here.. where can I keep if repotted.. plz guide me.. I love to grow tulips like you 😊.. I just started gardening.. 🫣plz respond 🙏🤗

[@balconiagarden]

Hello, it sounds like these tulips were grown the entire time in water which is very energy consuming for the bulbs and it will be difficult for them to bloom well again so most people would probably recycle them. If you are determined to try and grow them, I would follow the aftercare advice, store them over summer (provided they are firm and healthy) and then plant them out into pots or the open soil in autumn at a depth of around 15 to 20 cm. It may take a few seasons for them to recover but I always recommend trying things out! Hope that helps 😊

[@Globally1201]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!... JUST WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR!!!😃 MY VERY FIRST TULIPS IN AN EASTER POT...BUT I, LIKE MY MOTHER, LOVE COLLECTING SEEDS AND REPLANTING💜SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE TO HANDLE THE BULBS THAT REMAINS IN SOIL AFTER FLOWERS HAVE BLOOMED...YOUR TUTORIAL VIDEO WAS SHORT, SWEET AND TO THE POINT!!!🌷YOU EVEN SHOWED HOW IT'S DONE!!!... I APPRECIATE THAT!!!.. HAPPY RESURRECTION/EASTER SUNDAY!!!😍➕🙏📖🛐💪🔥👍

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Lisa, so glad you enjoyed the video and it helped you! Happy Easter to you and your family 😀

[@valeriaespero164]

Great video! I have a question since it is my first time caring for tulips. If I decide to keep my bulbs potted can I keep them in soil & do I have to keep watering them as often?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Valeria, glad the video helped you! For bulbs I've left in pots I've experimented with both watering/let the bulbs get rained on and not watering the bulbs over their dormancy period. Both ways worked for me, as in the bulbs always flowered the following season. So to answer your question you don't need to water the bulbs over summer but if you have larger pots or pots that need to stay outside you can let them get rained on and it should be fine. Temperature control is actually more important over the dormancy period and the bulbs shouldn't experience temps over 25°C. The other thing to think about if you don't lift your bulbs is you don't know if they are still healthy and so might not grow the following season. However once autumn comes you can start watering again. Hope that helps 😊

[@rahmanhussain153]

Wonderful video - thank you for the brilliant tips! I've just pulled up a whole bed of tulips as they had come to an end for the season, so currently have a large bucket full of bulbs. Any tips for how I can store them for next year please? I saw you put them in a container with paper lining, but did you pop a lid on it? Can you also keep them in the garage over summer then? Thank you so much! 😊

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Rahman, glad you enjoyed the video 😀 A bucket of tulip bulbs sounds amazing 👏 I normally don't put a lid on my bulbs but if you have rodent or insect problems I would seal them in a container, either drill a few holes in the lid so they get some air or buy a container with airholes already built in. Garages are perfect for storing bulbs, ideal temps are low though around 8°C so if it's hot in there over summer I'd find another place. Good luck 👍

[@rahmanhussain153]

@@balconiagarden Thank you so much, that's great advice! I've never pulled up bulbs and tried storing them until next season, so will definitely give this a go and see how they fair! Thanks again and really enjoying the content👍😊

[@geraldwalsh6489]

I am into growing bulbs ss well,right from the earliest Snowdrops,Crocuses to Gladioli. However,i find freesias do not grow well.....we have a heavy acid soil...maybe thats the reason??

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Gerald, a fellow bulb lover 🌷🖐 its a wonder you can grow any bulbs in your soil! Freesias do like a more alkaline, free draining soil but you could also plant them in pots as a compromise 🙂

[@Ippie23]

Thank you as others say straight to the point no rambling. Fellow Scot ❤

[@balconiagarden]

You're very welcome! 🤗🌷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@thetipsheet970]

Good Advice, other site said to discard bulbs growing in containers.....

[@balconiagarden]

Hello, I just want to mention that some people choose to discard bulbs after one season as they might not bloom as well the following season. This can happen but I've generally found if you allow the bulbs to complete their growth cycle and allow them to tank up with food during their vegetative growth stage then they flower just fine the following year. I find it a shame to throw away healthy bulbs but it is of course gardener's choice 🤗

[@henrikolsen5]

Can a bulb actually rebloom next season, or is a "rebloom" really a new bulb from a division of original bulb which only blooms once in it's lifetime?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Henrik, from what I know, the mother bulb (depending on the species) can flower up to 3 years in a row, each year producing a smaller flower and leaves than the year before. This happens because the energy that the plant produces during the vegetative growth phase get passed to the daughter bulbs over the seasons, then eventually the mother bulb dies and the daughter bulbs grow as large as the mother bulb in the beginning. When growing in pots some people plant new bulbs each year to make sure the display is full, it's a personal choice. Hope that helps.

[@benditsler5248]

I’m a fellow balcony gardener in Atlanta GA, is it better to plant them in Autumn or wait for Spring?

[@balconiagarden]

Hello Ben! If you're planning on planting spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils etc. you'll need to plant them in autumn as these bulbs require a period of cold temperatures at least below 7°C for at least 12 weeks (each species is different) in order to flower correctly in spring. I usually wait until late October/November to plant mine out, although I've been known to plant in December when we've had unusually warm winters. Hope that helps! 🌷

[@cecileruiz797]

If one decides to keep the bulbs in pots, after the leaves die, do you continue to water the bulb in the pot soil? Thank you.

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Cecile, I experimented with this and found that both the bulbs that got rained on the balcony over their dormancy period AND the ones I protected from the elements (so no rain) flowered the following season. Some would say to not let them get rained on but as long as theyre not sitting in water they should be fine. Hope that helps!

[@shannon_total.wellness]

If I leave my bulbs in the pot, in soil, should I continue to water them throughout the year or wait til sometime later in the year to start watering them again?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Shannon, I've experimented over the years with both letting the bulbs (that I don't lift) get rained on/watered and not get rained on. I've found both ways worked. What's more important over their dormancy period is that they don't overheat so temps should stay ideally below around 24°C 🌱

[@libertadmartinez1891]

Hi, thanks for the video. What happens if I do not dig them out and I'm growing them in the soil?

[@balconiagarden]

Hello, if you leave them in pots they should be fine, in the past I've experimented and I've allowed some pots to get rained on and others received no water until autumn and both flowered in spring. Just be aware that sometimes the flower display the following year is not as vigorous as the year they were planted (for that reason some people only use bulbs once then recycle, I find that a waste) but they'll still be beautiful ❤️

[@CeCe8519]

I get tulips for valentine. But now the flower is getting ready to die. But the bottom is still green and the roots are very white still. I mean I can see them because they are is a clear vase just with water not soil. Today is February 20. I mean tulip season is done ? I have to start to do what you did is this video ?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Cesiah, you raise an important point about bulbs or other bulbs grown in water rather than soil, often called forcing. This is very energy intensive for the bulbs and depletes their resources to the point where they'll most likely for grow well again. Many people recycle bulbs grown in water after they've enjoyed their display 🌷

[@gwensmall4090]

When you put the bulbs in the bag over the summer do you close it up or leave it open ..??? And what month or weather do you feel is best to put the bulbs back in the pots …???

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Gwen, I leave the bag lightly closed to allow for airflow but that no potential bugs can get it. Best time to plant the bulbs is from autumn until early December 🙂

[@jennypenny812]

Hi! If i got some potted tulips from a store, can I keep them in pot and see if they regrow? What do you recommend? Thank you?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Jenny, it depends on whether they were "forced" which means subjected to treatments that triggers them into flowering at a specific time. This can be stressful for the bulbs and these types of bulbs are normally planted on the top of the soil. If you have this type of bulb, foliage will most likely grow next season but might not flower until the season after that. I'd also encourage you to plant the bulbs at around 10 to 20cm deep in the soil depending on what species you have instead of leaving them on the surface. Do correct aftercare steps and allow them bulbs to experience around 3 months of 7°C or lower over winter which will trigger flowering. Good luck!

[@rescuedroots5060]

Hi, I am fairly new with bulbs. If I decide to store them in a pot with soil do I not water them? And when do I know it is t I me to plant them?

[@balconiagarden]

Hello, if you're storing them inside in the dark you don't need to water the bulbs. If the bulbs are outside in pots you can let them get rained on or equally they can be stored away and left until autumn when you can then start watering them. I've experimented will all three ways and they've all worked ☺️

[@kaceymorales9829]

So if we dont nee dthe pot, once all the foliage is yellow and brown we jdut cut it down to the soil and leave it all till next spring? Dont have to water it or anything?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Kacey, if the bulbs are planted in the open soil then yes you can just leave them as they are and they will come back the following year. A little bit of bulb fertiliser in early spring will help give the bulbs a boost but if they are allowed to properly complete their life cycle and gather as much energy from the sun before they go dormant then they should grow back well 🌱

[@royheap5178]

Thank you for the excellent video,straight to the point and very helpful .

[@balconiagarden]

You're welcome, Roy! Glad it helped you 🙂

[@pamspicer8910]

I forced a bunch of hyacinths, daffodils and tulips in large containers indoors. They are now deadheaded. Would I be able to just use them now to fill in my large bulb garden outside. If I wait until fall, I won’t be able to see where the previously planted outdoor bulbs are located. Thanks.

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Pam, yes you could use them in the outdoor container, just make sure they get lots of light and are planted into good soil so they can photosynthesise well and store food in their bulbs before they go dormant 🙂

[@dave710]

Great video, very useful - Thank-you 😊

[@balconiagarden]

Thank you Dave, you're welcome 🤗

[@theun4giv3n]

Thanks for this video. Good explanations

[@balconiagarden]

You're welcome 😁

[@seewhatisee6638]

If I don’t dig them out from the pot, when do I cut all the stem and leaves to the ground? If I leave them in the pot, do I need to water them or feed them?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi, you can cut back in the same way, just cut as low as you can and the rest of the stem will die back. You can place the pot in a protected, shaded area. No need to feed or water, summer is their dormancy period. In autumn you can place the pot in a sunny shelter position and water once a week, or just let the autumn weather do it for you.

[@lipstickjadore7009]

What can you plant in the available pot after pulling bulbs?

[@balconiagarden]

Hello, you can grow anything you like! I've grown mostly herbs, salads, tomatoes, peppers and salads, which all are compatible with growing in pots 😁

[@SecondHandPoet1]

Your enthusiasm is so infectious! Another lovely video.

[@balconiagarden]

Thank you, Neil!

[@barbsmith5398]

Great video i have sone that ate flowerd can i put them in the ground now

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Barb, I didn't quite understand the question?

[@pennykimball4446]

Thank you Very helpful From South Louisiana

[@balconiagarden]

You're welcome, Penny 😃 glad you found it helpful 💚

[@tenfingerfreak]

Great advice! What if I want to keep the bulbs in the pot? Will thwy freeze over winter? Do I need to bring them inside? I only have a balcony.

[@balconiagarden]

Hello, spring flowering bulbs are hardy plants that can tolerate every low temperatures when grown under the soil, the challenge when we grow in pots is that they are not as insulated or protected from the winter weather. If the temps drop below °-10 for a period of time, I would bring them inside. It's also important to protect your pots as they could crack if they freeze. Either bring the pots inside for the very cold period or you can wrap the pots in horticultural fleece or bubble wrap and leave them on the balcony. Be aware that if you bring your pots inside your home, this drastic increase in temperature will cause the bulbs to grow as they think spring has arrived so try and put the pots in a cold part of your home, in a cellar for example if you have one.hope that helps!

[@tenfingerfreak]

@@balconiagarden thanks for the advice! I do not have space to bring them in. I will think about the options. Got a few months to think about it before it gets cold.

[@PercussusResurgo]

'Squidgy to the touch'.... instantly made me a very homesick Scot.

[@balconiagarden]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😂 I feel you, Desmond!

[@karen2249]

Great video, really useful. If you leave bulbs in the pots over Summer, do you water them through Sumner or just leave them alone? Thank you!

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Karen, glad you enjoyed the video! I've experimented with letting bulbs in pots get rained on and sheltering them and to be honest both were fine. Just make the temps don't exceed 25°C as the bulbs aren't as protected from the weather as they would be in the open soil. Hope that helps!

[@karen2249]

Thank you so much, happy Easter!

[@gardencali-arkansasstyle6995]

I appreciate the beautiful white tulips blooming now, just lovely

[@balconiagarden]

Lovely 😍

[@cynthiamoore9247]

What to do if one lives in Florida There is no cool place!😢

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Cynthia, I sympathise with you! I would say a cold cellar is the best bet if you have access to one, otherwise the fridge although I've heard that it's not ideal for the bulbs to be in much cold temperatures in summer/over their dormancy period. By end of September/start of October you can place them in the fridge, make sure they stay there at least 12 to 15 weeks before planting them out into pots or open soil. Keep the bulbs away from any fruit especially apples in the fridge because apples release a gas called ethylene which can destroy the flower bud. I would love to know how you get on! 😀

[@THintz-jc4sl]

Is there any way to rescue bulbs that have mold??

[@balconiagarden]

Sadly no. Best to recycle them

[@nooracamilla7172]

My tulips did not have flowers it just grow the leaves what do i do

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Noora there are many reasons why tulips don't bloom. First if they're not planted at the right depth of around 20cm they might not bloom so once your bulbs have finished growing you can plant them deeper. They may not have been exposed to cold enough temperatures in winter to flower, the cold triggers the bulbs to flower. If you live in a hot country you can store your bulbs in the fridge for 8 to 12 weeks before flowering. Just make sure they're not near fruit as ethylene gas that comes out of fruit stunts flower bud development. Lack of proper soil, make sure its freed raining but fertile. It could be they're also resting this season and will flower again. Hope that helps 🙂

[@beckybartley5703]

I have a easter tulip in an indoor small pot. They wilted so i dead headed them as you aaid but if theyre staying indoors what is my next step ?

[@insfieldtrip]

You're always perfectly on time with these vids🤩

[@balconiagarden]

😂💁🏻‍♀️💚

[@alpnakumar9555]

After drying , when it’s ready to grow again ?

[@balconiagarden]

They're ready to plant in mid to late autumn :)

[@alexcalderon9093]

Can I leave the bulbs in the ground over winter ??

[@balconiagarden]

Yes 🙂

[@valentina1980.]

First time planting tulips in a pot! Actually, my first time planting tulips ever!!😊 They are so beautiful....a really deep burgundy and they are incredibly tall!! A couple are flopping over but the majority are very upright and sturdy. Thank you for this video and showing a newbie what to do when they die away...🙄👐🌱

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Valentina, so glad you have a beautiful display of tulips! Burgundy is one of my favourite colours so they must be beautiful. You can always stake the ones that are flopping over to prolong their lives. Glad the video helped you 😀

[@valentina1980.]

@@balconiagarden Ah, yes...I shall do that. 🙌

[@claudinebraddock7576]

I love the idea of pulling them out so you can have your pot or space available for the next plant. Just curious, can I also do this on my lilies that’s planted on the ground? just so i can make room for a new plant in my garden

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Claudia, yes you can lift your lilies just make sure you store them correctly and you should be able to replant them next season 🙂

[@johnkollias4358]

I read at every page and video I search (except here) that tulips can not come back and live as perennials if they're grown in pots. Based on your experience, is this true or not?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi John, great question, based in my experience they absolutely come back 🤩 I do have gardener friends that refresh the bulbs grown in their clients' pots every year (ie they grow one season then they're recycled) and of course these bulbs will grow beautifully and give a full display as they have just been bought and have been freshly treated for sale. I try to save as many plants as possible and bulbs are no exception. I have noticed they flower well the following year when I care for them correctly and when the bulbs remain healthy throughout their dormancy period - aftercare is critical for bulbs growing again as is the vegetative growth stage where the bulbs tank up energy for next season's growth. I have noticed that certain bulbs return better than others, for example muscari, crocuses and some varieties of daffs grow amazingly year after year whereas tulips will flower but perhaps not as vibrantly as the year you buy them. It's really each gardener's personal choice 🌷🙂

[@johnkollias4358]

@@balconiagarden thank you for your thorough answer! I also like regrowing plants and I am more experienced in amaryllises which are known for their ability to grow over and over again every year. I have not tried tulips yet but I am considering to buy some for the next season and I was trying to make sure if I could have flowers over the years with the proper post-blooming care!

[@lindabliss2138]

Many thanks. Very helpful

[@balconiagarden]

You're welcome, Linda! 😊

[@lainemelrose2230]

Do tulip regrow from original bulb.. I thought that they must be discarded

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Laine, that's a good question which requires a bit of explanation. Tulips will happily regrow for many seasons provided they experience conditions similar to their native habitat ie cold winter, hot dry summer and free draining soil. Of course not every climate is like this and so this can lead tulips which would otherwise bloom year after year to only flower once or twice, and so some gardeners treat them as annuals instead of perennials (which is what they are!). It also depends on what type of tulip bulbs you're growing, many new hybrids are bred for a spectacular show but not for longevity so if you're wanting long-term bulbs I would buy ones that are heirlooms or ones that naturalise or are labelled as perennials. Lastly, if tulips begin to grow offsets (the little baby bulbs) they will eventually draw all the energy from the mother bulb if not removed so I'd do that every three years. Hope that helps! 🌷

[@Lewis_Standing]

Question - should you leave the bulbs with foliage in the soil to get as much sunlight as possible and energy into them before lifting?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Lewis, I'd leave them as long as possible before lifting 🙂

[@rosemiaflores]

Do you need to fertilize them after they grown

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Rose, established bulbs that don't get dug up should be fertilised with a bulb fertiliser in autumn and as they begin to emerge in spring. It's also important to allow the bulbs to complete their growth cycle ie allow the leaves to photosynthesise and produce food that will be stored in the bulb over dormancy. For bulbs that are only used one season then recycled, fertilise them in autumn when planting, ideally mixing in a slow release bulb fertiliser or bone meal directly in the hole. In spring you don't need to fertilise 😊

[@stevesaunders2077]

Lovely, clear and concise! Thanks

[@balconiagarden]

You're welcome, Steve! 😀

[@sandycurrent922]

I received my first potted tulips for Valentine's Day and have a question. I live in the desert southwest (Arizona) and not sure how to store the plant once it goes dormant, as there is no where to store as the temps can become very hot. Upon finishing aftercare and will be leaving in pot, can I just refridgerate for the summer and just return them to outside beginning in late fall?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Sandy, to be honest I'm not sure how the bulbs would react to that since they usually have temps roughly between 13 and 25°C during their dormancy period. I would say give it a go, often with gardening I've found that plants are much more resilient than the textbooks would suggest and I've been surprised countless times growing on the balcony! There's a possibility they won't flower as well but that often happens anyway the year a growing season as the energy produced by the mother bulbs gets gradually put into growing daughter bulbs. Good luck 🤞🍀

[@sandycurrent922]

Hi, I will try it and see what happens, thank you for your input and will check back in.

[@balconiagarden]

@@sandycurrent922 please do, would love to hear how you get on ☺️

[@genacat4599]

If i leave my tulips in their pots and just cut them. Do I water them? If so how much per week?

[@balconiagarden]

Hello, if you leave them outside where they'll be rained on you can just leave the pots completely, provided that they're planted under the soil. If they're planted on top of the soil I would lift and store them (that's the textbook advice although I've not lifted similar bulbs before and they're flowered the following year). If you have them inside don't water the bulbs until the dormancy period is over and you're planting them out in autumn or winter. If you're putting them somewhere cold enough to simulate autumn and winter temperatures you also don't need to water until they're planted in soil in early spring.

[@genacat4599]

@@balconiagarden thank you!

[@beckybartley5703]

I have a easter tulip in an indoor small pot. They wilted so i dead headed them as you aaid but if theyre staying indoors what is my next step ?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Becky, somehow I missed your comment! Sorry to reply so late. I would allow the tulip to complete its life cycle, keep the soil moist and when the leaves turn brown, cut them off. You can either store the bulbs for next year or recycle. Often when tulips are sold already potted up they have received treatments which makes them flower at a particular time- this treatment can make it hard for them to flower the following year, fyi. Hope that helps 😊

[@beckybartley5703]

@@balconiagarden thank you. I did all that. Now I have the bulbs still in the pot. And I read to stop watering it to let it dry out completely before moving the bulbs from the pot. Is that correct?

[@abermin]

Edinburgh accent or thereabout?

[@balconiagarden]

Spot on! 😂👏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@carmen3091]

I was given tulips with foliage on them, fresh out of the ground. Can I let the leaves die and then plant the bulbs again before summer ends?

[@carmen3091]

Like could I plant them now? Zone 5b

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Carmen, I would let the bulbs go dormant over summer and plant them in the autumn when the weather is cooler 🙂

[@linbron2018]

Thank u so when they are dying stop watering

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Lin, you're welcome 😊 yes once they're they start yellowing reduce watering and once the leaves are old or cut off stop altogether ☺️

[@hannahuma7737]

If we are storing the bulbs in their original container, do we cut the foliage and put the pot away in a cool dark place till next autumn?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Hannah, yes you can cut the foliage back to the soil surface and the stem will die back underground. You can either put your pot away in a cool spot as the bulbs will be dormant anyway or you can leave the pot outside or somewhere sheltered and cooler as the bulbs are protected by the pot and soil. I've left different pots with bulbs on the balcony over the years, some receiving rain and others completely protected in a dark nook by the balcony shelves and both pots reflowered well the following growing seasons 😀

[@hannahuma7737]

Thank you for the information.

[@janinegrobbelaar]

If you leave the bulb in the pot, do you water it?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Janine, the short answer is no, not until autumn although the pots can get rained on and the bulbs should also be fine. I have a short video explaining this topic more detail if you're interested 🙂

[@Warmfireandtea]

Alot of trouble. Just turn em upside down an let em dry then put em in a bag in a cool,dry place. Replant in Fall.

[@pidpit4397]

Thank you so much.

[@balconiagarden]

You're welcome 😊

[@RJD0314]

Thank you. Good video. Short and sweet; to the point.

[@balconiagarden]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it 😍

[@MariMari-vq8hl]

💐 Thanks for this! 🙏🏼 I planted some tulips (for the first ever in my gardening journey) and the packaging made them appear as if they were more a subdued color (which I wanted) but came out brighter than I wanted. I thought I had to wait for the foliage to be completely brown before lifting/storing. I’m glad not as I want to plan and rearrange their future location to better suit my garden scheme aesthetic for next year 😊

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Mari, so cool you're getting into growing tulips! Yes, unfortunately sometimes the blooms look slightly different in real life but I'm sure they still looked beautiful ❤️ good luck with all your planting endeavours 🌱💚

[@deimaphiwanswett3327]

Hi really helpful tutorial...One question though...if I leave the bulbs in the container after flowering how many times a week do I have to water the soil in the container?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Deimaphi, glad the video helped out. If there is still foliage keep the soil.moost hut not saturated so that will depend on the climate where you live. If the foliage has also died back I would water around once a week or leave them outside and let the weather look after them 🙂

[@deimaphiwanswett3327]

Oh I see...Thank you for your help..😊😊

[@whoraeu6944]

So I can just cut off the flower part of them and leave them throughout the summer and they’ll rebloom? do I have to dig them up?

[@balconiagarden]

Tulips will only flower once a season so once the flowers are gone, the foliage will eventually die back, the bulb will go dormant, then during winter and autumn it will experience a cold period in the soil which is vital for flowering the following spring, then in spring they'll flower again. You don't have to dig up for them to flower again you can also just leave then wherever they're planted 🌷

[@whoraeu6944]

@@balconiagarden Thank you!

[@rlolo777]

@@balconiagarden interesting. I planned my bulbs and we had a few cold days this winter, and I saw leaves starting to sprout up. But then we had a cold front come in and the leaves got singed with the cold. Now they are not growing. How can I bring my tulips back from that?

[@StephL1111]

Can I leave the tulips in their pots, but BRING THE POTS INSIDE?? We have some overly aggressive critters that dig them out for food.

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Steph, yes you can bring inside, if you have a shed or unheated garage or greenhouse that would be best. Temps above about 15°C will trigger growth so try and store somewhere cool. 🙂

[@vsamuels9969]

Thank you🎉

[@balconiagarden]

You're welcome 🤗

[@emilyl3705]

The tulips that i decided to leave in the pot, should I set them outside or keep them indoor? Its summer where I live and there lots of rain.

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Emily, either is fine as long as the temps don't reach over 18°c ish and the pots don't get waterlogged. My second most recent video goes into a bit more detail about leaving bulbd in pots over summer, you can have a look if you're interested 🙂

[@emilyl3705]

@@balconiagarden We have high temp summers 30-37C but indoors is about 20-22 C. Should I consider getting them out of the pot and storing them like the video?

[@essysoler3522]

Loved this tutorial! I'm new to planting and this video was so well explained and so very helpful, exactly what I was looking for. I have one question... Once bulbs are stored do you water them anyway or just leave them in the stored in the container?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Essy, so glad the video helped you and that you're getting started in gardening 😍 you can just leave the bulbs in the container, this is their dormancy period where no growth is happening. Once autumn comes around again you can plant them out and then they'll start to receive water. Good luck 😍

[@amandagawith4822]

Great video thanks 😊

[@balconiagarden]

You're welcome, Amanda 🤗

[@HomewithNadineFlorida]

Thank you! I live in Florida and was given potted tulips as a gift. The blooms lasted a few days the drooped. I cut the blooms. Can’t decide if im keeping the bulbs.

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Nadine, you're welcome 😊 🙏 Florida is perhaps too warm for tulips 🌷 If you keep them I'd love to hear if they bloom again!

[@janeti6149]

Exactly what I needed to know - and we’ll presented - thank you

[@balconiagarden]

You're welcome, Janet 🙂

[@rlolo777]

So if you plant them in the fall, what kind of winter should they have in order to bloom in spring? I'm wondering if I should give them an artificial winter by putting them in a fridge for a few days or weeks... ?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Rebecca, tulip bulbs need to experience temps around 4°C for 12 to 16 weeks for them to produce a flower bulb. You can put them in your fridge to chill them if the temps where you are dont get that low, just be aware that fruit like apples release a gas called ethylene which inhibits flower development so keep them away from any food like that stored in fridges. But otherwise it replicate winter conditions well. Good luck! 👍

[@mariacarrales1733]

I am new to growing tulips and your video helped me so much I really appreciate it. But, I have one question it may be silly but I just didn't know. After you place them in a container can I cover the container? Like to seal the container from pest.

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Maria, glad the video helped you :) that's a good question, bulbs need a consistent temperature and moisture level to survive dormancy so I think sealing them might damage the bulbs long term. If you're worried about pests or you live in a warmer climate you can store your bulbs in your fridge, just make sure fruit likes apples are kept away from them as apples release a gas called ethylene would can kill the flowers inside the bulb. You could also try to seal the bulbs and regularly aerate them. I've also read that you can wrap each bulb in newspaper as protection although that seems like a lot of work! Hope you find a solution, and I would love to hear if you seal your bulbs and they remain healthy :)

[@mariacarrales1733]

@@balconiagarden thank you for the reply! Ok I see, now I know what to do I appreciate that. I also shared this video with my daughter and my niece ☺️

[@balconiagarden]

@@mariacarrales1733 thank you so much 💖 😀

[@Harmonysoul-m8v]

Love your video, I live in East TN and I got tulips recently for Valentines Day but a few days later flower petals were falling out. I followed your steps, now I have the bulbs in a container. My question is can I put it in a paper bag and close the top of the bag lightly or leave the bag open when I store in the refrigerator or should I store it in a dark place with bag open?

[@jeffdinter600]

Question for you I have gotten some bulbs from the store that were in pots. Will now the Tulips daffodils and other bulbs have finished blooming. What can I do with those bulbs if I want to save them and plant them in the ground?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Jeff, if they're still in their pots I'd let them continue their growth cycle and then cut them back once the foliage is yellow. You can then lift them, store them and plant them out in the autumn.

[@NewYorkNaturals]

Hi. Great video! Please help here…? I purchased a pot with tulip bulbs no flowering as of yet. But, the bulbs are sitting on top of soil is that how it’s suppose to be, or am I suppose to plant them deeper myself? I am a first time buyer, meaning I have no clue. The bulbs are completely exposed on top of dirt and sand. I do see the tulip flower ready to bloom I actually see the color something I didn’t see two days ago when I purchased the pot. Also how good are they with rain where I am it’s April and that means a lot of rain and somewhat still cold weather at night it is down to the low 30’s in my area. Which is Delaware USA I am not sure what zone that is in America. Sorry, I hope my questions are not too many. Thank you

[@balconiagarden]

Hi April, you ask all the questions I asked when I first started growing bulbs :) You can leave the tulips in the pots sitting on top of the soil and they'll flower no problem. Often shorter varieties of tulip are sold like this because they won't grow tall enough for the pot to then topple over, especially if the pot is small. You can also plant them out into another container or a mixed border; if you do that I would stick to shallow planting like they are in the pots. Once the tulips flower and then go dormant, when autumn comes around I would take these bulbs and plant them around 20cm deep into either pots or the open ground in autumn. Bulbs that are sold already potted up are often "forced" and may have trouble regrowing and reflowering next year unless they're submerged under soil. They'll almost definitely put out leaves the following season but maybe no flowers however they normally right themselves the season after that. Tulips are excellent in rain, they are spring-flowering bulbs so can grow in whatever the unpredictable April weather can through at them! Hope that helps, good luck with your tulips! :)

[@NewYorkNaturals]

@@balconiagarden thank you so much…. That was a ton of info I appreciate it all so much.

[@balconiagarden]

@@NewYorkNaturals you're welcome 😀💚

[@bubblythy]

If you leave the bulbs in the pot, do you still need to water them?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi, if you're keeping the bulbs in pots over the summer and their dormancy period in theory you can leave them without watering but of course bulbs grown in the open soil receive rainwater over summer too so you can water them from time to time or just leave them outside and let the weather take care of them. I've left pots unwatered and also left them outside where the received water and both grew fine the following season 🙂

[@bubblythy]

@@balconiagarden Thank you

[@anickas.58]

Thank you for this cool video. I have one question. I have the same tulips in two different pots. In the first one, they are nice and tall. In the second one, however, they have short stems and also started to bloom later. I am not sure why is that. But the question is: should I keep the bulbs from the second pot? I supposte the problem migh be less sunlight, worse soil, etc.

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Anicka, it could be a number of reasons why the second pot bulbs grew differently. Are they the same variety of bulbs? Did they get enough water, light, space in the pots? Were they planted the same time? Same soil, the list goes on...😂 I would keep them if they're flowering and in good condition. Its quite nice to have bulbs flowering at different times, then you have a succession of flowers to enjoy and the spring show lasts longer 💐

[@redhammer]

Thankyou.

[@balconiagarden]

You're welcome, Buddy 🙂

[@mrs_hindson7239]

Question: where is your 'cool dry place'? I have a shed but it's pretty damp. Could I put them in paper bags in a opaque plastic tub and leave them outside?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi, in my building each flat has a small storage space in the cellar so I put mine there. You could leave them in a tub, I'd make a few air holes so the bulbs can breathe a bit and that there is some sort of airflow to prevent mould or even open the tub regularly. I've never done it before but don't see why it wouldn't work. Just keep out of the sun! 🙂

[@anayac5625]

How do you take care of the bulb if you’re not taking them out of the pot? Or is there anything you’re supposed to do so they don’t die until the next year?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Anaya, that's a good question. The bulbs are not as protected from the elements when they're in pots as they would be in the ground, so I always place my pots in as cool a place as possible over summer and in winter if it gets really cold I either bring the pots inside or I cover them with a horticultural fleece or bubble wrap. Spring-flowering bulbs are very hardy though so they should be able to deal with the elements. Only feed them when you start to see foliage emerging in spring. Watering is an interesting topic. I've experimented over the years and found that bulbs in pots left outside and that get rained on come back just the same as bulbs that I put under my bench and that don't get any water. They are crazy things 😃 Some people only use bulbs once and then recycle them because the display is sometimes not as nice as the first time planting. I think that's a waste and the bulbs always come back, sometimes not as nicely as the planting year but still very attractive. I encourage you to experiment and see what your bulbs like in your growing space. Very often plants suprise us and do not what the gardening books say 😃 Good luck 🍀🤞

[@NeonAmnesia]

I don't plan on growing these outdoors. Do you know if I just leave them out as you said after their leaves die out and put them in the fridge later for their cooling period, or can I just put them in the fridge right away? Or does it matter at all?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Neon, you can leave then in a bag over their dormancy period over summer and when autumn comes you can put the bulbs in the fridge for at least 10 weeks, ideally longer, then plant them out into soil and they should start growing in early Spring 🙂

[@MrSqwertery]

This is my first year growing Tulips , got them at Chelsea last September, They looked absolutely stunning , but I forgot to ask about aftercare. Your video was exactly what I needed , very helpful.. Thank you , love from Glasgow

[@balconiagarden]

A fellow Scot? 😀🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 so glad the video helped you 🌷

[@MrSqwertery]

Thanks again..👍

[@autumn4458]

Do I need to moisten/spray the bulbs once in awhile during storage period?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Autumn, no need to moisten the bulbs you can just leave them until its time to replant 🙂

[@globetrekkermel]

I love bulbs too . The video is very informative. Just subscribe to your channel . Will keep watching.

[@balconiagarden]

Thank you so much, Mel 😀 glad it helped you

[@dianac.5833]

If you leave them inside the pots do you need to water them?

[@balconiagarden]

Hi Diana, in theory no you shouldn't water them over summer or their dormancy period but some of my pots got rained on a few times and they always survived. I'd try to keep them dry 🙂

[@dianac.5833]

@@balconiagarden got it , thank you

[@williamhammond4263]

After all these lovely comments How could I not subscribe. Thank you

[@balconiagarden]

Thank you so William! 😄🌷