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Tulips from food store - can I plant them out?

17 years ago

Hi everyone - I've enjoyed this forum and want to ask a question about tulips that were given to me by my 20 year old boy. He was so excited and bought me a pot of beautiful red tulips - saying that they will last longer than the roses he usually gives me (and that i am allergic to....lol). I know that they are "forced" tulips and wondered if I could plant them in the ground (in a sunny, well drained location) and would they come back next year.

We live in NC but used to live in New York and I know from experience that tulips are a favorite for deer. Do forced bulbs return? Thanks so much.

Carrie

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Comments (3)

geoforce
17 years ago
Carrie,
Keep the foliage growing on them as long as you can, and then when the leafs die off, let the pot dry out. Come next fall, in normal planting time, take them from the pot and plant in your garden. They probably won't bloom for a year or two as they will have to recover size and strength, but should live quite well.

George
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Nell Jean
17 years ago
What a nice son, to think of such a thoughtful gift.

Good advice from George above . I would put the pot with the dried off bulbs in a mesh bag of the kind onions come in, or even pull the bulbs out of the pot and put in a bag, and hang them in your garden shed or garage for the summer. They need that period of heat.

When fall comes and you're about to plant, buy a little bag of more tulip bulbs to add nearby to the display. Keep the excitement going!

The only thing better than a few tulips is more tulips.

Nell
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carrie630
Original Author
17 years ago
geo and fox.. thanks for your fast reply. I actually did a search from this forum and found that many people had trouble getting their tulips to rebloom - even those they had bought from bulbs. I think they are a bit "tricky" so it will be interesting to see what happens next year.

Yes, my son has always been wonderful to us and thoughtful always... We are very lucky

Carrie

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