How to Harvest Tulips

Watch for tulip growth in early spring., Increase watering when you see new growth., Watch for the advanced bud stage., Pull tulips up by the stem., Cut off the bulbs., Wrap the tulips in paper., Trim the tulips., Place your tulips in water., Dry...

12 Steps 3 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Watch for tulip growth in early spring.

    Tulips usually start to grow in early spring.

    When you notice the bulbs of tulips poking through the ground, it's time to prepare for harvest.

    As soon as tulips begin to emerge, care for them to encourage a quality harvest., Once tulips begin to poke through the ground, water them extra.

    This encourages them to mature into strong plants, giving you a strong harvest.

    Water tulips with about two inches of water a week.

    This will keep the soil wet enough to provide you with quality tulips.Sunlight is also important, especially if you're keeping tulips indoors.

    As they start to bloom, tulips need exposure to direct sunlight for six to eight hours a day. , For best results, tulips should be harvested during what is called the advanced bud stage.

    At this point, blossoms should still be closed.

    However, the stems should have risen sufficiently out of the ground and the blossoms should be a dark, strong color., Start low to the ground when picking tulips, grabbing onto the base of a tulip's stem.

    Reach as close to soil level as possible and grasp the stem.

    Pull upward to remove the stem from the ground., In some cases, the bulb found underneath the soil is uprooted with the stem.

    If you pull up the tulip's bulb, this should be removed.

    Cut off the bulb using a pair of gardens shears., Use floral paper wrapped into a funnel shape to secure the upper two thirds of the flower.

    Stems can sometimes bend after tulips are picked, so wrapping the tulips in paper can keep the stems straight.

    After wrapping your tulips in paper, place the stems in water and leave them for a few hours to encourage proper stem growth., After bringing your tulips home, take a pair of garden shears.

    Use these to cut about one quarter of an inch (about .6 centimeters) from the tips of each tulip., Just after trimming your tulip stems, immerse the stems in water.

    You do not need to add any fertilizer or other additives to the water.

    Simple tap water should be enough to keep tulips strong., If you want to dry your tulips to preserve them, strip away any unwanted leaves and cut the tulips to your desired length.

    Hang your tulips from a flower using unscented dental floss in a dark area with good circulation, such as an attic or closet.

    Hang the tulips from their stems so the flowers point downwards.

    Tulips take two to three weeks to dry., Each day, pour out the old water and replace it with fresh water.

    Trim another half inch off the tulip's stem during this time.

    This will help the tulips stay strong longer., Tulips thrive in colder temperatures.

    To keep your tulips fresh longer, store them in a cold room in your home.

    Keep them away from sources of heat, such as ovens., Once tulips bloom, they have a shelf life even with proper care.

    Tulips will begin to wilt in three to seven days.

    After this time has passed, discard your tulips.
  2. Step 2: Increase watering when you see new growth.

  3. Step 3: Watch for the advanced bud stage.

  4. Step 4: Pull tulips up by the stem.

  5. Step 5: Cut off the bulbs.

  6. Step 6: Wrap the tulips in paper.

  7. Step 7: Trim the tulips.

  8. Step 8: Place your tulips in water.

  9. Step 9: Dry your tulips.

  10. Step 10: Replace the water and trim the tulips daily.

  11. Step 11: Keep tulips in a cool room.

  12. Step 12: Discard tulips after three to seven days.

Detailed Guide

Tulips usually start to grow in early spring.

When you notice the bulbs of tulips poking through the ground, it's time to prepare for harvest.

As soon as tulips begin to emerge, care for them to encourage a quality harvest., Once tulips begin to poke through the ground, water them extra.

This encourages them to mature into strong plants, giving you a strong harvest.

Water tulips with about two inches of water a week.

This will keep the soil wet enough to provide you with quality tulips.Sunlight is also important, especially if you're keeping tulips indoors.

As they start to bloom, tulips need exposure to direct sunlight for six to eight hours a day. , For best results, tulips should be harvested during what is called the advanced bud stage.

At this point, blossoms should still be closed.

However, the stems should have risen sufficiently out of the ground and the blossoms should be a dark, strong color., Start low to the ground when picking tulips, grabbing onto the base of a tulip's stem.

Reach as close to soil level as possible and grasp the stem.

Pull upward to remove the stem from the ground., In some cases, the bulb found underneath the soil is uprooted with the stem.

If you pull up the tulip's bulb, this should be removed.

Cut off the bulb using a pair of gardens shears., Use floral paper wrapped into a funnel shape to secure the upper two thirds of the flower.

Stems can sometimes bend after tulips are picked, so wrapping the tulips in paper can keep the stems straight.

After wrapping your tulips in paper, place the stems in water and leave them for a few hours to encourage proper stem growth., After bringing your tulips home, take a pair of garden shears.

Use these to cut about one quarter of an inch (about .6 centimeters) from the tips of each tulip., Just after trimming your tulip stems, immerse the stems in water.

You do not need to add any fertilizer or other additives to the water.

Simple tap water should be enough to keep tulips strong., If you want to dry your tulips to preserve them, strip away any unwanted leaves and cut the tulips to your desired length.

Hang your tulips from a flower using unscented dental floss in a dark area with good circulation, such as an attic or closet.

Hang the tulips from their stems so the flowers point downwards.

Tulips take two to three weeks to dry., Each day, pour out the old water and replace it with fresh water.

Trim another half inch off the tulip's stem during this time.

This will help the tulips stay strong longer., Tulips thrive in colder temperatures.

To keep your tulips fresh longer, store them in a cold room in your home.

Keep them away from sources of heat, such as ovens., Once tulips bloom, they have a shelf life even with proper care.

Tulips will begin to wilt in three to seven days.

After this time has passed, discard your tulips.

About the Author

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Deborah Roberts

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