One reason to plant in pots and bury/plunge them is when you want to have the 'show' of tulips but want them out of that patch of ground so you can get ahead for whatever you want to put in for summer.

When the flowers finish you CAREFULLY dig them up and move them to another bed or area to continue growing and gathering food for the following season.

I stressed 'carefully' because some tulips send out dropper roots which can wiggle through the drainage holes and into the actual ground. Once those roots have gone deep enough then the plant starts to form the new, next-season bulb outside the pot. Break the roots and you're likely to lose the new bulb as well.

When the flowers have finished and the leaves are still growing on - then is a good time to give them a side dressing of tomato food (something with potash - even clean wood ash) if you didn't fertilise before planting. Helps to set the next flower and harden off the bulb.

Store in a cool dark dry place away from mousies. Check for damage and rot before replanting.

Thanks vet. I will take your advice and bury the pots. Great reasons to do so which I haven't thought of. I don't like to leave old, dying plants in my garden anyway. This way I can move the pots after they are finished blooming and start to die and use the space for some bedding plants to show color the rest of summer.
Where would you suggest I store the pots with the bulbs in them?

I was just blogging about bulb planting today and included a couple online videos that show how to plant tulips. The one with audio is very informative. You can check them out on my Web site.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tulip Bulb Planting Videos

That bulb planting video is amazing. I'm going to try it!!

Good luck! I'm about to replace some pathetic looking marigolds in a front planter with some bulbs so should be a fun project this weekend. :)

alan, where are you? zone 8 is big. If you are in Texas where winter temps fluctuate greatly, you'll need to chill longer.

cynthia