Gardening is probably one of the most fulfilling hobbies one can have. And it is no surprise that most gardeners enjoy planting trees that yield beautiful flowers. There are two significant reasons for this. The first one is that having trees loaded with pretty flowers around the house ultimately increases the space’s appeal and overall energy. And the second is that even when the gardener has left, the people in that vicinity will never forget them as they come across the lovely tree. Now, out of all the options of flowering trees, one of the most commonly approached ones is the Tulip. And the reasons behind it are pretty straightforward. Tulips are fast-growing, look gorgeous, smell extraordinary, and make us feel refreshed. However, as beautiful as tulips can be, growing them can be a bit of a challenge, only if you don’t have the proper knowledge for it. So, to help you with that here’s presenting a comprehensive guide about how to grow tulips. Let’s get started!
What Is The Significance Of Tulips?
Before we dive into the hows and whys of growing tulips, let’s quickly address the significance of this tree so that you understand why it deserves special treatment. Well, to begin with, since tulip flowers bloom in the early spring, they stand as a symbol of the arrival of spring. Other than that, tulips also symbolize love and royalty, which adds a romantic touch to it. This is why tulips are given to loved ones, siblings, friends, and family members as a token of unconditional love and support. Now, this brings us to another question.
Which Are The Types Of Tulips?
Knowing which are the majorly planted types of tulips can help you decide the exact variant of tulips you wish to grow.
Well, Liriodendron tulipifera, the state tree of several parts of America, is native to Eastern North America. This American tulip tree is also known as yellow poplar or poplar trees. These have greenish-yellow petals, and it is one of the tallest trees, as they grow approximately 120 feet tall. There are several variants of the Tulip Tree, such as the Darwin Hybrid Tulip, Fringed Tulips, and the Fosteriana Tulips found in different parts of the world.
What Are The Ideal Conditions For Growing Tulip Trees?
These are numerous components of an “ideal condition” for growing any plant, such as the water requirement, suitable climate, sunlight, soil type, and so on. Let’s discuss each of them.
Sunlight
Tulips majorly thrive when there is adequate sunlight. If not super sunny, then at least partial sun is required. Tulip is not necessarily a shade tree because if the Tulip is in a shady area, it may not grow that well. Besides, the leaves may also start browning. This is why it makes the most sense to place the Tulip where it can soak in as much sunlight as possible.
Water
Ideally, tulips should be watered every week, particularly in the winter season and the early springs, because the flowers are preparing to bloom. Tulips generally need around 20 mm of water per week at the peak season. Other than that, even if tulips can tolerate drought up to a certain extent, you may consider watering them after every two or three days, depending on how dry the climate is. All in all, tulips don’t need a lot of water to grow.
Soil
Tulips typically require well-drained soil that is more on the acidic side. The soil is also supposed to be sandy and dry because tulips don’t react very well to excessive moisture. However, the soil shouldn’t be too dry either. Just loose and slightly crumbly soil is what you should look for.
Fertilizer
Fertilization depends on the age of the Tulip. Older tulips don’t need fertilizers as such. However, the newer ones respond very well to fertilization. You should supply the tulip tree with a granular or liquid fertilizer. Some of the best nutrients to look for in the fertilizer include nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium.
Climate
Climate is one of the most critical factors in growing any plant, and tulips are no exception. For tulip trees, the ideal climate temperature is below 55 degrees F. Tulips grow best in mountainous regions with a temperate climate. The lowest temperature that tulips can tolerate is 28 degrees. After that, the Tulip may start damaging.
Here’s The Process Of Planting Tulips:
Once you have matched all the conditions mentioned above for the Tulip, you can go ahead and plant the tulip bulb.
Plant the tulip bulb at a depth that is twice its width. Usually, tulip bulbs are 2 to 2.5 inches big, so that you may plant them 5 inches in the ground. Make sure that you only plant healthy bulbs and discard the damaged ones for the successful growth of the tree.
Lastly, the best time to plant tulips is during fall, because at the time, the soil is not too moist or too dry, which is ideal for tulips.
CONCLUSION
All in all, planting and growing tulips is not that tricky if you have the proper knowledge. Essential awareness about the plant’s requirements can help you achieve a thriving plantation and compelling growth in the long run. That being said, we hope you manage to plant some lovely tulips in and around your house with blooming flowers every spring. Happy gardening!
