Contents
Tulips are one of the first flowers to appear in spring beds. Autumn planting allows early flowering of the flower bed. The timing of the work depends largely on the region. Planting tulips in the fall in the Moscow region has its own characteristics. Compliance with a number of conditions will help to get a profusely flowering flower bed in spring.
An important feature of tulips is the need to transplant them. If you do not change the location of these plants, they will begin to degenerate and lose their decorative properties. Particular attention is paid to the planting site, fertilization and material preparation.
Benefits of autumn planting
In spring, bulbs of tulips and other primroses appear in the assortment of garden shops. When planting in the spring, the likelihood of seedlings is very high. However, the appearance of a flower takes time, so flowering can never be expected.
Planting tulips in autumn has several advantages:
- bulbs get time to adapt in the ground;
- provides early flowering.
When the temperature rises, the bulbs planted in the ground wake up and sprout. In spring, seedlings appear even when snow remains in shady places.
The aerial part of tulips develops during April – June, depending on the region and variety. The bulbs are dug up after flowering is completed in June/July, when most of the leaves of the plants have turned yellow.
In one place, tulips grow up to 4 years, after which they need to be transplanted. For certain varieties, the location is changed more often.
Tulip transplantation is necessary in the following cases:
- plants do not produce flowers;
- deformation of leaves or buds;
- active growth of the flower garden;
- disease prevention.
Terms of planting
Autumn is considered the best time for planting bulbous plants. Tulips need to go through a cooling period, after which their active growth and flowering begins. When planting, keep in mind that plants need to develop a root system and get nutrients before the onset of cold weather. However, the bulbs should not sprout in autumn.
It takes at least a month for the bulbs to root. In this case, the ambient temperature should be from 3 to 10 degrees.
It is recommended to measure the ground temperature first. At a depth of 10 cm, its value should be in the range of 6-9 degrees. With such values, the development of the root system of tulips is stimulated. Deviations of 3-4 degrees are allowed, however, the plants will develop less intensively.
When to plant tulips in the fall in the Moscow region depends on weather conditions. In this region, the optimal time for landing is the end of September. In the absence of frosts, this period can be extended until mid-October. Depending on weather conditions, it is allowed to shift the dates by one or two weeks.
Subject to the planting dates, the root system of tulips begins to develop. As a result, the plant actively absorbs nutrients from the soil.
Selecting a landing site
Tulips are preferred sites that meet certain conditions:
- are on high ground;
- have protection from the wind;
- well lit by the sun;
- contain drainage;
- have a low groundwater level.
With a lack of lighting, the plants are unnecessarily stretched, and their stems are bent and become thin. As a result, the decorative qualities of the flower bed suffer.
If tulips are constantly exposed to the wind, then over time they will begin to bend down to the ground. Low-growing varieties are less susceptible to wind.
If the groundwater is too high, then an artificial elevation is made. The length of the roots of tulips does not reach up to 0,5 m. With constant exposure to moisture, the process of plant decay begins. Harmful microorganisms can penetrate the bulbs, which will lead to the death of the plant.
When choosing a place for a flower bed, you need to consider what plants grew here. If the predecessors are bulbous plants, then it is recommended to choose another place. It is allowed to plant in the soil where herbaceous plants have grown before.
Fertilizers for tulips
Tulips prefer medium-density, alkaline or neutral soil. The plant responds well to the content of fertilizers in the soil.
To feed plants, lime and ash are added to the ground. To make the soil lighter and more nutritious, river sand, humus and minerals are added.
When planting in sandy soil, last year’s manure can be applied. When fresh, it is not recommended to use fertilizers for tulips.
The soil is dug up to a depth of 20 cm. If dry weather has set in, then two days before planting tulips in the fall, the future bed needs to be watered.
The following fertilizers are applied under tulips:
- Urea – a substance that provides plants with the supply of nitrogen. Due to nitrogen, the green mass of tulips grows. Urea is embedded in the soil to a depth of 3 cm. For one square meter of a flower bed, 20 g of urea is required.
- Potassium nitrate – complex fertilizer containing nitrogen and potassium. This combination has a positive effect on the development of the bulbs: nitrogen accelerates their growth, and potassium increases the ability to extract nutrients from the soil.
- Wood Ash – natural fertilizer obtained by burning wood and plant residues. The ash contains an increased amount of calcium, which is necessary for the growth of the above ground parts of plants.
Bulb preparation
The preparation of bulbs is an obligatory stage of planting work. Planting material is carefully inspected and sorted. In the presence of damage, soft areas, signs of decay and disease, the bulb is not used for planting.
Be sure to remove the husk, under which there may be sources of infection. Tulips prepared in this way absorb nutrients from the soil faster.
The material is then sorted by diameter. Large bulbs take root best, however, smaller specimens can also be used.
The selected material is dipped for several minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or a growth stimulator. After that, you need to immediately start landing work. On one site, you can plant several varieties of tulips or create a monochrome flower bed.
Landing order
Planting depth depends on the size of the bulbs. When the depth is chosen correctly, the plants will not die during the winter frosts and will receive the necessary amount of moisture.
If the bulbs are planted too close to the surface, then in the spring they can be washed away by spring floods. Deep-planted tulips develop babies slowly.
Medium and large planting material is planted 10 cm deep, smaller specimens – 8 cm. If the soil is light, then you can plant the bulbs deeper. In heavy soil, it is better to place them closer to the surface.
Holes or furrows are made in the garden. Between tulips leave 10 cm (if the bulbs are large) or 8 cm (for smaller specimens). Leave 25 cm between rows of flowers. Tulips can be planted in a checkerboard pattern. The size of each cell is 10 by 10 cm.
A layer of sand is poured at the bottom of the furrow (no more than 2 cm). The sand cushion will help the root system to strengthen faster. Tall tulips should be planted in such a way that their shadow does not fall on lower varieties.
Tulips are carefully laid out in the holes so as not to damage the roots. Then the soil is leveled so that no depressions remain on the surface. In such pits, water accumulates, which turns into ice when it gets colder.
After planting, the flower bed is watered and covered with a layer of straw, humus, peat or sawdust. Such insulation promotes the development of tulips and protects them from frost.
Conclusion
The dates for planting tulips in the Moscow region are adjusted taking into account weather conditions. Estimated time for work is the end of September. Before planting, air and soil temperatures are analyzed. The flower garden should be located in an open area, preferably on a hill.
For preventive purposes, tulips are transplanted. This will preserve the decorative properties of flowers. Before starting work, you need to prepare the soil, disinfect the bulbs and apply fertilizer. Tulips are planted in rows or in a checkerboard pattern. The final step is watering and mulching the soil.
