Bar the Bull
At the Start
Once my tulips wither and die, do I cut off the stems?
The leaves?
The leaves?
Gardening
- Thread starter Bar the Bull
- Start date
Diminuendo
At the Start
Bar just cut them below the flower head. You need to keep the leaves on as the bulb is still building reserves to grow again next year.
simmo
Senior Jockey
and watch the bulbs don't get forced up to being exposed over the winter.
A
Ardross
Guest
Should that be over the summer . If so yes wise as of course tulips unlike daffs don't like being planted too deep.
simmo
Senior Jockey
No, it was winter. Mine were forced upwards to being half exposed this year by frosts etc and apparently they don't grow too well when exposed. Those one's certainly haven't flowered yet, unlike the others which were not exposed.
Dim is right, don't cut off the leaves until they have visibly died off. When there is any green remaining, they are still photosynthesising, feeding the bulb for the following seasons flowers.
The wisdom for tulips is to plant about 4 to 6" deep. I personally think that bulbs make their own level depending on conditions. A thick mulch over winter will help protect any bulbs that have risen from frosts.
The wisdom for tulips is to plant about 4 to 6" deep. I personally think that bulbs make their own level depending on conditions. A thick mulch over winter will help protect any bulbs that have risen from frosts.