The Netherlands is cosmos famous for its vivacious field of tulips in springtime . But those daze display do n’t bechance by chance event . Tulip bulb output is a complex physical process that starts long before the first sprouts emerge .
Planting Tulip Bulbs
Tulip electric-light bulb output begins in the fall when bulbs are planted in fain fields
Fields are plowed and nutrient - ample fertiliser and compost worked into the soil to nourish bulbs
Bulbs are embed 4 - 6 inches deep using specialised agricultural equipment , This protect bulbs from frost and wintertime weather ,

After planting , fields are covered with straw mulch to further insulate medulla through winter dormancy .
Bulbs require a period of time of cool temperatures around 40 ° fluorine to initiate root and shoot increase . The winter chilling period lasts 12 - 14 weeks .
Tulip Growth Phase
As ground warms in fountain , striking growth begins :
Tulip shoot come forth from bulbs as early as March . Shoots appear as curl up unripened / ruby sprout .
Foliage grows rapidly , up to several inches per day . Staking may be needed for tall varieties .
Flower bud physical body and elongate into plump , coloured blooms in April - May .
During this increase phase , arise bulbs underground pull nutrients from soil , fertilizers , and leaves .
Removing Flowers for Bulb Growth
Here ’s the surprising closed book behind Dutch tulip playing field :
Tulip flowers are write out off with political machine just as they arrive at blossom prime . This prevent seminal fluid output .
Removing heyday tricks bulbs into focus muscularity on developing new daughter bulbs rather than come .
By cutting flush , the next class ’s commercial craw is multiply . Bulbs split into 2 - 5 new medulla oblongata .
cut flower also prevents bulbs from eat stored food . This maximizes medulla oblongata ontogenesis .
Tulip Bulb Harvest
Bulbs are reap in summer once foliation dies back :
After 6 - 8 week of foliage emergence , leaves yellow and wither as bulbs go dormant . This signal reap clip .
Bulbs are lifted from ground using specialised equipment designed not to damage bulbs .
Bulbs are cleanse of soil and roots and then sort out by size of it using machines .
large , level-headed bulbs are selected for replant . Smaller bulb become next year ’s commercial harvest .
Bulbs to be replanted are stored in a cool , dry spot until fall planting prison term .
Bulbs to be sold are clean , box and distributed to suppliers and consumers .
Off-Season Tulip Bulb Care
right store and guardianship is vital for get full-bodied bulb year after twelvemonth :
Before entrepot , bulbs are cure for 4 - 6 weeks in a dry , airy place to dry out out skin and train for dormancy .
Cured bulbs are stored in mesh grip in a coolheaded spot around 50 ° farad to preclude sprouting until nightfall planting .
While dormant , electric light are monitored for disease and terms . Damaged or diseased bulbs are discarded .
Bulb fields are regularly tested and go around to prevent nutrient depletion and disease buildup .
Nutrient spirit level and filth pH are carefully maintained through additions of compost , fertilizers , and pH adjusters like lime .
Through technical finish methods perfect over centuries , Dutch growers coax tulip bulb into grow breath - taking displays year after twelvemonth . It may seem like illusion when colorful blooms burst forth each outpouring , but in realness it ’s just skilled horticulture in action !
How 2 Billion Tulip Bulbs Are Produced and Harvested – Tulips Cultivation Technique in Green House
How do tulip spread ?
Tulips unfold in two way : by creating bulblets that sprout from the mother bulb underground and by seminal fluid produced by flowers . The most plebeian ( and quick method acting ) is lifting the bulb and separate the offset bulb ( bulblets ) attached to the female parent bulb . This should be done in the drop , at the normal planting time for tulips .
Do tulips produce seeds ?
Tulips are usually grown from bulbs , although the flowers do bring out come . botanic species set seeds worthy of solicitation , as they will grow a clon of the parent plant . However , it can take twelvemonth for come to evolve , make bulbs , and produce flowers .
Why do tulip bulbs produce so deep ?
When the bulb is institute deeply , it is less likely to attempt to produce bulbettes , alike to offspring of the flower . When the tulip farm these bulbettes , it takes all the energy from the primary bulb , make it less potential to flower the next yr since its nutrients are taken away .
Can tulips grow in a garden ?
Thus , these spaces are excellent spaces for growing tulips and other outpouring bulbs . Tulips prefer rich , well - drain dirt with a impersonal pH to somewhat acidic ( 6.0 to 7.0 ) . Mixing in compost can improve drain and render nutrient to the bulbs . Ideally , do this before constitute the bulbs .