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problem withtulips
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Posted by youngquinn vic (My Page) on Sat, Aug 27, 05 at 22:59
| Some of my tulips have come up this year with small misformed flowers and some with strange foliage. Is this a virus? Should I pull all affected plants up and dispose of them? There is a picture on the garden gallery site. I didnt know how to put one here. Thanks .pam |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: problem withtulips
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Pam I will show you how if you email me through "My Page"
I cannot email you as you dont have it on your page
Cheers..MM |
RE: problem withtulips
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| Thank you kindly mistymorn. One email on its way. |
RE: problem withtulips
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| Maybe it's too warm where you are. Tulips seem to need it colder in winter and seem a bit tempermental from suburb to suburb. |
RE: problem withtulips
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| Thanks for the suggestion annabel but I dont think it is that as I put them in the fridge for 6 weeks before planting, but maybe the garage where I stored them in over the summer got too hot and I cooked the flower? Although that doesnt explain the wonky leaves. Puzzling |
RE: problem withtulips
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Pam, what the bulb suppliers don't tell us about chilling tulips in the fridge, is that unless they are in pots of potting mix, they cannot make the root growth they would make at this time, if they were in the ground. Almost as soon as you take them out of the fridge they think it's spring and start to shoot. This is OK for the first year after you bought them, but over the next few years, the bulbs become weaker and weaker. The result is failed flowers, just like the ones in your picture, or no flowers at all.
If you want to grow tulips, sometimes it's best to take advantage of the bulk discounts some of the suppliers offer. Stick to the ones recommended for warmer climates, chill and plant them in the garden to enjoy while they last. I know this sounds extravagant, and is probably the main reasons you don't see mass plantings of tulips in people's gardens.
I've found the more expensive tulips, such as the doubles or 'parrot' types are the hardest to get to come back for even a second year, no matter what you do. The most reliable for me have been 'Monet' ones. It's important not to plant them out until the ground is cool, plant them deep and mulch them well. Anything to make them think it's still winter for at least a few more weeks, so they can make some root growth. I might add that this seems to be getting more difficult each year as our last few winters have been so mild.
I'm sorry, I wish I could have said that your tulips have a virus or had been eaten by a bug. My tulips are only just starting to show their buds, but I know I'll end up with some which look just like yours. |
RE: problem withtulips
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| Dear wattleblossom thanks for your reply. As it happens they are Monets and I have gotten about three seasons out of them already so maybe I should not complain. I did not know that about tulips, I did plant them late (Mid may) so I guess I will just keep buying more each year as I just love them. Cheers pam |
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