How to Grow Red Tulips

• 1

  Prepare the growing area about two to three weeks prior to planting the red tulip bulbs. Cultivate the soil thoroughly to a depth of about 12 to 18 inches. You can use a shovel or a garden fork, for small-scale planting or a rototiller for larger-scale planting.

• 2

  Distribute 10-10-10 fertilizer over the soil in the growing area. Use 2 lbs. for every 100 square feet you are planting.

• 3

  Amend the soil according to the type of soil in the growing area. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, lay out a 2- to 3-inch layer of vermiculite or peat moss. If the soil is sandy, lay out a 2- to 3-inch layer of peat moss or compost.

• 4

  Mix the amendment and fertilizer into the soil to a depth of about 12 to 14 inches.

• 5

  Dig holes for each red tulip bulb that are about 8 inches deep for heavier soils or about 10 to 12 inches deep if planting in sandy soils. You can also dig out a 6-inch deep area that is about 3 feet in diameter for every eight to 10 tulip bulbs you are planting.

• 6

  Plant one red tulip bulb per planting hole. If you opted to use the trench method, plant one red tulip bulb every 4 to 6 inches.

• 7

  Cover the tulip bulbs with about 6 to 10 inches of soil.

• 8

  Saturate the soil in the planting area. This is necessary to ensure strong roots and provide enough moisture to last through winter.

Caring for Tulips

• 9

  Spread a 3-inch layer of leaves, straw or evergreen boughs for a mulch after planting, as suggested by Louella J. Nelson and William H. Carlson at the Michigan State University. In the spring, remove the mulch when the red tulip shoots are no more than 1 to 2 inches tall.

• 10

  Provide regular watering, once sprouts appear in spring, usually once every two to three days. Water deeply so it will reach the roots.

• 11

  Remove flowers as soon as they begin to lose their petals. Remove the foliage when it turns yellow and is easily removed. Both tasks are necessary to prevent flowers from going to seed and help ensure the red tulips will grow and bloom the following year.

• 12

  Dig up the red tulip bulbs after the leaves turn yellow. Shake off excess soil gently, then place the bulbs in a protected location to dry for about one week. After you have dusted the bulbs with a fungicide, store the bulbs in dry perlite, peat moss, sand or vermiculite and provide a 35 to 50 degree Fahrenheit temperature range. Although this is not absolutely necessary, many tulip growers find this works well for them.