Tulip Propagation Methods Illustration Collection
About the tulip propagation methods illustration collection and the introduction of green plants and flowers about precautions during tulip propagation, let's get to know together next.
Tulips, also known as narcissus, belong to the genus Tulipa in the Liliaceae family, and are a type of perennial herbaceous plant. The first time I got to know about tulips was in my childhood, in a foreign movie called "The Black Tulip," where I saw tulips of various colors. Although I knew that tulips are poisonous flowers, their beauty left a deep impression on me.
The next time I saw tulips was after I got married. I remember once when I went on a trip, I saw many tulips of various colors. I just thought they were very beautiful, so I stayed to look at them for a while. Now that I have tulips myself, I think it must come from a beautiful dream from my childhood.
What are the propagation methods of tulips?
Division Propagation
After tulips grow for a year or several years, the bulb scales will produce many small bulbs. We can use the method of division to propagate tulips after the flowers fade, the leaves turn yellow and dry.
When dividing tulips, we can take the bulbs out of the soil, remove the soil and let them dry, then store them in a dry and well-ventilated place at a temperature of 5-10°C.
In September to October, we can plant them again. Before planting, we can soak the bulbs in a carbendazim solution, and then plant them.
When planting, we can choose the number of bulbs to place based on the size of the pot, usually 3-5 in a large pot and 1-3 in a small pot. Use a sandy soil that is thick in layers, rich in humus, and has good drainage.
After burying the bulbs, cover them with 5-7 cm of soil, water thoroughly, and keep the soil moist. In the following spring, we can start fertilizing and watering. Generally, small bulbs can bloom in 2-3 years, and large bulbs can bloom in the same year.
Seed Propagation
Seed propagation is usually used to cultivate new varieties, so it is often used by large-scale flower growers or experts, and rarely used in home gardening. When propagating by seeds, the seeds are collected after they mature and stored in sand until October, then sown in indoor pots and will germinate the following spring.
When the tulips germinate and grow to 3 cm, we can thin them out. We follow the principle of "removing the small and weak, keeping the large and strong," and when the seedlings grow to 5-8 cm, we can transplant them with soil balls. This method of seed propagation takes 3-4 years for the tulips to bloom.
Tulip Propagation Methods Illustration Collection
Propagating Tulips through Cutting
Tulips can also be propagated by cuttings. When propagating tulips, we can choose strong branches and leaves for cutting.
Trim the tulip cuttings to 10-15 cm and plant them in the soil, watering appropriately but not making the soil too moist, as this can cause root rot.
Then place them in a shaded area. Once the tulip cuttings grow new leaves, the propagation is successful. However, it is not easy to propagate tulips by cutting, so there are relatively few gardeners who use this method, and most will use bulb planting.
Post-Propagation Tulip Maintenance Methods
Temperature Management
Tulips prefer a climate that is not too cold in winter, humid, cool, and dry in summer. They are very resistant to cold but cannot tolerate heat.
The suitable temperature for tulip growth season is between 8-20°C, with the optimal temperature being 15-18°C. The temperature for bud differentiation is between 17-23°C. If the temperature exceeds 35°C, bud differentiation will be hindered. Therefore, during the bud differentiation period, we can control the temperature to make the tulip produce more buds and bloom more flowers.
Tulips are highly cold-resistant and can withstand low temperatures of -35°C. They can grow smoothly at temperatures above 8°C. If the winter temperature can be controlled between 10-25°C, it can promote rapid growth of tulips and the blooming period will also be earlier in the following year.
Light Management
Tulips prefer a well-lit environment but can also tolerate semi-shaded conditions. After planting tulip bulbs, we can place them in a shaded environment for about 15 days, and then move them to a sunny area after they grow new leaves.
When tulips start growing, we can place them in a well-lit area, which is beneficial for the later differentiation of tulip flower buds. If the temperature is too high, we can provide some shade, which helps the tulips bloom with more vibrant colors.
Tulips are long-day flowers, so it is best to place them in an outdoor or sunny balcony area during the growing season.