Tulips are beloved for their lasting, early-season color. Diversity within the species only further adds to their appeal, making them well-suited to use in the landscape, as well as pots and containers. Many gardeners will choose to grow tulips as an annual, selecting new bulbs on a seasonal basis.
Others may take special interest in the perennialization of plants, hoping each to return in spring. Routine feeding will play a key role in this process, helping to make certain that the plant's needs have been met.
This guide, detailing how to begin fertilizing tulip bulbs, serves to explore the task in greater detail, with special attention to how and when to feed plants.
How Important is it to Fertilize Tulips?
Opinions as to whether or not tulips need fertilizer will vary. The plants themselves are grown from “true” bulbs. This means that each will already contain the flowers and foliage to sprout through the first season after planting.
Increased tulip fertility in spring can help to further support growth, resulting in healthier, more robust beds. The same can also be said of the use of feeds to encourage the return of blooms on a seasonal basis, helping to build and store energy within developing bulbs.
Best Type of Tulip Fertilizer
Well-balanced, slow-release fertilizers are among the best tulip bulb feeds. These allow for the continued release of nutrients through both spring and summer, when plant growth is most active. Routine feeding can continue beyond bloom, with gardeners helping plants to establish strong bulbs in preparation for the following season. Fertilizers for tulips applied at this time should promote and encourage rapid root growth and bud set.
A great option is Espoma organic bulb-tone fertilizer which can be found on Amazon.
Homemade Feed Options for Tulips
While commercially available fertilizers work well to aid in the growth of bulbs, ornamental feeds can be expensive. It is for this reason that many begin to explore the use of homemade fertilizers for tulips. Organic options are generally most popular, and often consist of a mix of amendments specifically suited to one's own garden soil. Applications of a quality finished compost and bone meal are suggested frequently. Rock phosphate, azomite, and other trace minerals can also be used to improve the overall composition and fertility of growing beds. Find organic azomite from Down to Earth All Natural Fertilizers on Amazon.
How and When To Fertilize Tulips
When and how to fertilize tulips will vary. Bulbs are often fed first in the fall, at planting time. Doing so can help to encourage growth, devoting much-needed energy to root development. The resultant growth will aid in the establishment of strong plants in spring and more vivacious blooms. Continued feeding during periods of active growth will further foster the growth of healthy bulbs, putting emphasis on the production of flower buds. Side dressing or the use of fast-acting liquid or foliar spray feeds is most common at this time.
Risks of Over-Fertilizing Tulips
Though the use of fertilizer can help to promote plant growth, overfeeding can be of serious cause for concern. It is for this reason that experts often suggest the use of annual soil tests, as a means to gain better understanding of garden soil and any potential deficiencies. In the case of tulips, the excess use of fertilizer can result in stunted growth and poor bud set. Gardeners are likely to observe a noted decrease in vigor, including an overall decline in bulb health. Other common symptoms include the yellowing leaves, as well as damage as the result of burn.
Post-Blooming Fertilization Needs
The best time to fertilize tulips is before they begin to bloom. Still, routine feeding beyond their flowering period can be helpful in terms of establishing bulbs and aiding in their perennialization. The use of balanced feeds will be ideal at this time, allowing for continued development of both roots and bulbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should You Not Feed Tulips?
Though routine feeding can help to promote bulb health, experienced growers forewarn against the use of fertilizers when plants are dormant. This is especially true in late spring when feeding should be reduced, allowing bulbs to slip naturally into a state of dormancy.
Are Coffee Grounds Good for Tulips?
The use of coffee grounds in the home garden has long been celebrated for its purported benefits. Though this home remedy is likely helpful to those making their own compost, their direct application to tulip plants is cautioned. Possible negative effects include the potential for change to soil composition as well as pH and acidity levels.
