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Tulips are bright and diverse symbols of spring. Summer residents and flower growers love to experiment with these colors. Growing tulips from seeds at home, at first glance, is incredible, but you just have to try, and young sprouts will conquer any doubts.
Seed tulips are rarely grown, but this method is also practiced.
Is it possible to grow tulips from seeds
Today these flowers are associated with Holland, but many centuries ago they were first grown in Asia. The name itself comes from the ancient Persian word, which translates as "turban". Tulips were especially highly prized in the Ottoman Empire.
In the 16th century, flowers reached Europe. Since then, the world has been gripped by a real tulip fever. Breeders are constantly creating new hybrid varieties, surprising with the shape of the petals and the color scheme.
Bulbs are common planting material for everyone. The seed method of reproduction is questionable. It is quite possible to get beautifully flowering tulips from seeds. The only "but" - the growing process will be long (5-10 seasons). But this will not stop enthusiastic florists. To see how a precious bulb is formed from a small seed is a real miracle. You can also try your hand at breeding and get original varieties of tulips.
Growing tulips from seeds is a very long process.
When to plant tulips by seeds
It is best to carry out the procedure in the fall (September-October). But if the tulip seeds (pictured below) were harvested in the spring, the timing shifts a little, and you can start planting in the last days of October or the first half of November. In the first spring, a thin sprout will appear, which will have only one leaf. In the second year, this leaf will become even larger, and the bud of the bulb is almost completely formed.
Tulip seeds are best harvested in early autumn.
How to grow tulip seeds at home
Some growers plant seeds directly into the ground. If in winter the air temperature is below -5 ° C, plantings require additional cover in the form of a dense film or branches.
Many people choose to grow tulips from seed at home. This allows you to get stronger and more viable plants in the future. For this, greenhouses are used, and also cultivation is carried out in room conditions (in pots or containers).
Seed collection and soil preparation
The tulip should bloom completely. Then the stem is tied up so that the arrow is in a strictly vertical position. Mature boxes begin to crack. This is the first signal that you can start collecting them. Ripe seeds usually darken and take on a red-orange hue. The box is carefully separated from the base with sharp scissors and transferred to a dry, dark room. It should dry completely.
Tulip seeds are harvested when the boll cracks
When the planting material is ready, you need to take care of the soil. Often they use ready-made soil, which is sold in any gardening store. You can prepare the soil mixture yourself by combining peat with organic matter and coarse sand.The substrate should be nutritious, loose, moisture and oxygen permeable.
Landing rules
It is not difficult to get seedlings of tulips by seeds.
The whole process includes several stages:
- Containers (oblong boxes or pots) are prepared in advance and small holes are made in the bottom.
- Drainage is placed at the bottom, and the finished soil mixture is poured on top. It is leveled and depressions are made of about 3 cm. After that, the seeds are densely sown (each grain in its own cell) and sprinkled with sand.
- For the first month, the containers are covered with ordinary cling film with holes for ventilation. The temperature in the room is maintained at least + 15 ° C. As soon as the first sprouts hatch, the containers are transferred to a warm room with a comfortable room temperature. It is not recommended to place tulips near heaters and radiators. So the life-giving moisture will quickly evaporate.
Watering and feeding
Tulips don't like drought. Planting must be regularly moistened using drip irrigation. It is convenient to do this at home using a small watering can, a small spray bottle, or an ordinary syringe. This procedure is done about once every 6-7 days. It is best to use warm, settled water.
In waterlogged soil, the seeds will die
Organic and mineral fertilizers can be used as top dressing. For these purposes, humus or compost, sterilized chicken droppings in granules, wood ash, as well as complex mineral preparations are suitable. It is very important for tulips to get the necessary macro- and microelements (copper, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, boron, molybdenum, iron, zinc, magnesium).
Preparation for planting in open ground
In the 3rd year, active vegetative division begins, and small baby onions appear. In early August, they are divided and transferred to open ground. In a previously prepared area, holes are made (the depth of each is from 10 to 12 cm). For small bulbs, a distance of about 9 cm is maintained between the holes.
Clean river sand is poured into the depressions and poured with water and salt (1 glass per 10 liters). Before planting, it is useful to hold the bulbs in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection. In regions with cold winters, the bulbs will need to be additionally insulated with a layer of humus about 5-6 cm thick.If the baby bulbs are planted in spring, they will not bloom, but by autumn they will have time to get stronger and grow.
Further, the plants are provided with the usual care: they are regularly watered, fertilized, carefully loosened the soil and periodically examined for diseases and pests.
How to store tulip seeds in winter
Breathable paper bags that can be folded into plastic containers are best for this. For tulip seeds, they provide the same conditions as for any other flowers: in a cool, dark room with normal humidity levels. If there is dampness, mold will form on the seeds. Foil cannot be used as packaging, as this causes the seeds to lose their germination.
The bulbs are stored in a cardboard container at room temperature, out of direct sunlight. For planting material, which should lie until spring, the optimum temperature is considered to be within + 15 ° C.
Useful Tips
Growing tulips from seeds is a rather complicated process. Not every florist decides on this. Those who have practiced this type of cultivation know many secrets of growing tulips from seeds.
Proper care will allow you to get strong shoots.
A few recommendations:
- The correct temperature regime and regular watering will allow you to get healthy and strong shoots.
- Do not plant tulip bulbs near potatoes or cabbage.
- Bulbs affected by disease or pests must be dug up and burned in a timely manner.
- It is permissible to plant tulips until the very cold, but in the spring they will bloom much later than the due date.
- Young plants need to be protected from sunlight. If this is not done, the green mass will grow to the detriment of the formation of buds.
- Annually tulips are advised to be planted in a new place. This will protect them from disease.
- After flowering, the bulbs must be dug up and carefully sorted out. All dubious specimens are immediately disposed of.
- At home, you can regulate the flowering of tulips. To admire the beautiful flowers in winter, you need to water and feed them twice a week. After budding, the pots are rearranged as far as possible from the batteries.
- Tulips can also be grown in hydrogel or water.
Conclusion
Growing tulips from seeds at home is the choice of the most patient gardeners. This method allows you to breed new varieties, adjust the size of the flower and its color. Complex care is not required, but incredibly beautiful tulips grown with your own hands from a small grain will reward patience and work and become indicators of skill.
