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Submitted by: Dan A

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While you obviously cannot grow tulips outdoors in a tropical climate, you can get a mini show indoors, depending on how much work you're willing to do. Two things absolutely must happen for tulip bulbs to flower, and thrive. A) they must have 14 weeks of cold (5 degrees Celsius, 40 Fahrenheit, NOT COLDER) to set a bud, and B) they must be allowed to have green leaves until they naturally wither, about 8 weeks, in order to gather enough energy to flower again before they go dormant. So what you must be willing to do, is keep the (dried) bulbs in damp vermiculite or sand, in a sealed container, at 5 degrees C., for 14 weeks. Then plant them in a suitable container with full sun, feed and water as directed, enjoy your tulips (this can take 20 weeks); let the leaves grow until they wither, dig them up and let them dry out in a dry place. You may have to create a dry place by putting them in a container with some dry rice to absorb the moisture). Then keep them cool and dry until about 34 weeks before you want flowers again, whereupon you return them to the damp vermiculite or sand for 14 weeks, and replant. A lot of work, but the only way to do it in the tropics. I would recommend a small refrigerator just for the bulbs. Good Luck!

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