The Growth Cycles of Tulips

Spring

• Spring is the time of year when the tulip’s growth cycle is most obvious, since this is when the foliage begins to emerge and the flowers burst into bloom. The time the tulips spend above ground is an important part of the other three growth phases, since this is when the leaves absorb the sunlight they need for photosynthesis to occur. Photosynthesis is the process plants use to turn light into the food they need for their continued survival.

Summer

• Once summer arrives, the foliage begins to die back and the tulips go into a dormant state. It is important to allow the tulip foliage to die back naturally because it is the foliage that sends the stored food to the bulb. Cutting the foliage off prematurely robs the bulb of what it needs to perform the following year. The flowers are the first sacrifice the bulb makes, because producing these takes the most energy. The summer growth phase is referred to as the dry period. It is during this time that the bulbs multiply.

Fall

• Fall is the best time to plant tulips, because they make their roots during this time. The roots are important because they take up nutrients from the ground and anchor the plant so once it does bloom it does not fall over from the weight of the flower. It is important to add fertilizer to the bottom of the planting hole to get these bulbs off to a good start and top dress the soil with compost yearly to add fresh nutrients. Tulips also need water to thrive, so if it is extremely dry where you live during the fall, water the area where they are planted once a week.

Winter

• During the cold winter days, the roots continue to grow as the tulip bulbs bide their time waiting for the perfect moment to emerge. These bulbs need at least eight weeks of temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit in order to continue to bloom. This is one reason growing tulips in warm climates is difficult unless you plant pre-chilled bulbs. The melting snow provides enough moisture for these plants to sustain their growth.