Are you wondering how to store unplanted tulip bulbs? These bright-coloured plants bring a magical feeling to every spring garden in the UK. Read on to learn everything you need to know about tulips.
A Closer Look At Tulips
Tulips have more than 150 species with 3,000 varieties. In addition, there about 75 wild species of tulips. Tulips are famous for their bright colours and symmetrical shape. They come in many different colours such as white, pink, red, orange, yellow, and purple.
Their beautiful flowers consist of 3 sepals and three petals that appear to have almost the same size and shape. This cup-shaped plant grows more than 18 inches in height, depending on the variety.
Every tulip colour represents different meanings. For instance, white tulips symbolise forgiveness, while pink and purple tulips symbolise happiness and confidence and royalty, respectively. In addition, red tulips represent love. Lastly, yellow tulips represent pleasant thoughts.
The Netherlands is known for a lot of things, and tulip is one of them. The national flower of the country is the tulip. However, tulips did not originate in the Netherlands but Central Asia and Turkey.
It became famous worldwide when it was brought to the Netherlands from Turkey in the 16th century. Today, one considers the Netherlands the largest producer and exporter worldwide, producing nearly 3 billion bulbs yearly.
In the old times, people considered tulips one of the most valuable items, even more, valuable than houses in the UK. In fact, in the 1600s, it was one of the most expensive flowers, which costs almost ten times more of the salary working man’s average salary in the Netherlands.
Tulips festivals are held around the world to welcome the spring season. There is a historical origin behind this festival. One of the most famous is the Canadian Festival Tulip, where it all first started.
It originated after WWII when Princess Diana from the Dutch royal thanked Canada by giving 100,000 tulip bulbs to liberate the Netherlands by the Canadian troops and provide her and her family a place to stay during the war. Every year, she sends tulips as an annual gift to the country.
Furthermore, other famous festivals are Tulip Festival Amsterdam, Indira Gandhi Tulip Festival, International Istanbul Tulip Festival, etc.
One usually plant tulips in the autumn; however, one can also plant them at different times of the year. Tulips generally bloom during spring. It only blooms for three to seven days. Tulips need cold to thrive. They need at least 14 weeks of cold to gather enough nutrients from the soil.
Tips on How To Store Unplanted Tulip Bulbs
Don’t worry if you have unplanted tulip bulbs. If they are stored properly, they won’t be destroyed.
Tip #1: Store them in a cool and dry place
The best way to store these is to place them in a cool, dry place with a temperature above freezing – at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The refrigerator is an excellent place to store these bulbs. If you bought the bulbs in the winter, these bulbs could be stored in the basement or at the garage, as long as one can keep them away from any heat.
Tip #2: Use an insulated container for storage
Furthermore, one can place bulbs in an insulated container, such as a Styrofoam cooler, for extra protection.
Tip #3: Place summer bulbs in peat moss
For summer bulbs, it is best to mix some peat moss and place the bulbs. Make sure to check the storage environment from time to time.
How Long Can You Store A Tulip Bulb?
Bulbs are different from seeds – they do not live forever. Stored bulbs will last up to one year if they are correctly stored.
The longer they stay out from the ground, the more chance they of getting rot and damage. UK experts recommended planting the bulbs as soon as the planting season starts.
Benefits Of Growing Your Plants In A Semi-Pro
Are you thinking of investing in a semi-pro greenhouse? To help you decide, check out the benefits of polytunnel gardening:
They extend your plants’ growing season
Semi-pro greenhouses can extend the growing season of your plants. The extended growing season can produce more high-quality blooms or crops. Extender growing season can also result in higher production.
You can plant anything you want
Regardless of whether you live in a warmer or cooler place, you can have a wide variety of plants to choose from. Plants that aren’t available in your UK area you can plant in your greenhouse. If you’re wondering, the enclosed space creates an environment where you can control the temperature and humidity needed to grow the plants and protect them from harsh weather.
It protects your plants from bad weather and pests
Rainy summers can kill tulips. Growing tulips in greenhouses can protect the plant from heavy rain. A semi pro polytunnel acts as a protective barrier against the elements. However, it can also keep your plants safe from pests and vermin.
Recreating Tulip UK Gardens In A Semi-Pro Greenhouse
Tulips are one of the most beautiful plants ever. Tulips thrive in cool weather. Whether you live in a warmer or cooler area, you can plant tulips in your backyard with the help of greenhouses.
In a semi-pro greenhouse, you have control over the environment, especially the temperature. You can set the right temperature needed for the tulips to grow and produce high-quality blooms.
Now that you know how to store unplanted tulip bulbs, maybe you might want to try to plant your stored tulip bulbs in the semi-pro greenhouse. You can recreate a miniature version of a beautiful tulip UK garden in your backyard!