Tulip Bulb Refrigerator Planting Techniques

Plant Bulbs

• Use a relatively wide and shallow bulb pan or container that is tall enough to cover your tulip bulbs with at least 6 inches of soil over their tops. Fill the pot with 2 to 3 inches of rich, well-drained soil. Arrange the tulip bulbs in a single layer, covering the surface of the pan with the bulbs lined up shoulder to shoulder. Make sure that the flattish root is facing directly down and the slight crown facing up. Cover over with 6 inches of soil and tamp down gently to compact. Lay over that a loose covering of wax paper or parchment, just to protect the soil, but avoid tightly sealed plastic wrap, as it can impede air flow too much.

Cold Store Your Bulb Pot

• Place the container potted with bulbs into the bottom of your refrigerator---a crisper drawer or lower shelf are both fine. Leave undisturbed for at least 8 weeks. Remove the pot when you want to commence the growing period. If you want the tulips blooming at a fixed date on the calendar, remove them from the cold at least 7 weeks ahead of that date.

Prepare for Bloom

• Place the pot in a bright, sunny location and water it well, keeping the soil consistently moist but not wet. Apply a water-soluble, general-purpose liquid fertilizer to the soil once the green leaves begin to break through the soil and develop.