A question about starting tulips indoors:
"When tulips are not planted in the fall can I plant in pots indoors in a cool area then transfer outdoors after the root system is established? I am a newbie to gardening and look forward to learning."
Yes, but they will need to be precooled to spur them into blooming... they should be chilled in a refrigerator for at least 10 weeks before planting. Then you can pot them up OR plant them outside (or both). If they aren't precooled the bulbs will only produce foliage and will not bloom - or the flowers will be very short and stunted.
Comments
Dianne - May 20, 2010 8:05 PM
after cooling a bulb for 12 - 16 weeks, how long before they get green and bloom? My mother in law is a Feburary birthday and loves the blooming pots, I would like to have one just ready to bloom for her birthday.
The Bulb Lady - July 12, 2010 4:51 PM
I recommend buying an Amaryllis bulb during the holidays, they don't require any pre-cooling. Start growing it 7-10 weeks before you mom's birthday in February (late November to early December). Amaryllis flowers last a long time, so even if they start to bloom early they should still be pretty when you give them as a gift. Plus they're easy to get to rebloom over and over again.