Tulip bulb

Question

Hi!

Your website is great and your have very helpful information, Thank you!

I have a question and your help is much appreciated.
I live in Canada, Toronto. I received Tulip bulbs in July as a gift from Netherland, and a very short instruction on the box said that I should chill them in fridge for few months to avoid the winter cold. And I’ve put them in fridge since July to now (Feb) because I am confused! 3 months after July was the coldest time of winter in Canada!!

I have read guides to plant in a pot and put in fridge for almost 10 weeks, but does it still applies to my case that they have been already in fridge for 7 months?

I still have a box of 50 tulip bulbs in the fridge!
Can you please help what should I do with them? It will be cold outside for the next 3 months!

Thank you very much,

Sabia Parlone

Answer 1

The bulbs need a chill of 35-50 degrees F to trigger the bulb to bloom. You have already had this. It is fine to pot them up in regular potting soil and bring them in the house to force an early bloom. After blooming, cut the bloom stem off and plant the bulbs in the soil in late spring to allow the leaves to rejuvenate the bulb and die back on their own. Bulbs are planted at a depth that is 3 times the length of the bulb. A lovely gift!