Sprinkling Tulip Seeds Directly on ground
by Barb
(Illinois)
I read that you can sprinkle the seeds directly on the ground to germinate. When would this be done? Would it be best to do this after they have had a 90 day hibernation in the crisper of the frig?
Doug says it won't matter whether you give them a 90 day cooling period if you're going to do them outdoors. Just sprinkle them (I'd cover very lightly to discourage ants and mice from eating them) and then let them be. They'll produce tiny hair-like greenery when they germinate (in the fall or next year) and you're well on your way to new tulips.
New Seed Pods
by Barb
(LaSalle IL )
I recently cut off some seed pods from a tulip bed and am unsure how to continue. The pods are still green, a couple are big and a couple are small. How do I go about harvesting the seeds when the pods are still green?
Doug says that if you open up the seed pods, the seeds are either green or brown. If green - toss them. If brown then you can sow them directly wherever you want them to grow.
Starting Tulip Seed Pods
by Carolyn
(Illinois)
I brought the tulip seed pod in the house not knowing what to do with the seeds. The seed pod has cracked open some, but not much. Is it OK to break open the seed pod and sprinkle the seed on the ground. I live in Illinois and I would like to start them outside in the garden if it is OK to do so now.
Doug says that a far easier way is to sink a pot in the ground first. Excavate a bit of soil and sink a 6-inch flower pot in the soil. Fill the pot with the soil excavated from the hole.
Soak the soil *thoroughly* with boiling water to sterilize the soil and kill off weed seeds.
Sow the tulip seed in the pot and barely cover the seed with soil (about 1/4 inch deep - no more)
Water the pot.
Leave alone until spring.
You should see small hair like leaves emerging (like very tiny tulip leaves) in late spring. Grow in pot until they all go yellow and die back in early summer.
Dig up and transplant the baby bulbs to the garden area you want.
It takes 3 years to get a bloom from seed.
Good luck.