With tulips you can conjure up picturesque flower arrangements in tubs. So that the decorative effect is impressive, creative hobby gardeners plant tulip bulbs according to a sophisticated system. We reveal the secret of a dreamlike beautiful tulip blossom in a pot.

Tulips also cut a fine figure in pots

The best tulip varieties for the tub - a hand-picked selection

Tulip varieties that remain at a maximum height of 30 cm are particularly suitable for pot culture. Therefore, when choosing tulip bulbs, keep an eye out for these types and varieties:

  • Water lily tulip (Tulipa kaufmanniana), with a growth height of 25 to 35 cm
  • Lady's Tulip (Tulipa clusiana), with a growth height of 20 to 25 cm
  • Multi-flowered wild tulip (Tulipa praestans), with a growth height of 15-20 cm
  • Fire Tulip (Tulipa whittallii), with a growth height of 25 to 30 cm

In general, it is the diverse wild and dwarf tulips that feel extremely comfortable in the tub thanks to their low height of 10-15 cm and robust constitution.

Planting time is in the fall

Regardless of whether you cultivate tulip bulbs in tubs or outdoors, autumn is the best time to plant. The cold stimulus during winter is essential for flower induction. Plant your favorite tulips in pots from mid-October at the earliest. In the weeks before, warm weather could cause premature budding.

Plant in layers for an opulent appearance - this is how it works

The ideal tub for tulip bulbs is thick-walled, relatively short in height and large in diameter. One or more floor openings are essential for water drainage. Place some shards of pottery or pebbles on top as drainage to prevent waterlogging. Before you fill in the substrate, please spread an air- and water-permeable fleece over it so that the material does not silt up. How to start planting:

  • Fill in a first layer of loose, peat-free potting soil over the drainage
  • Place higher-growing tulip varieties densely on this first layer
  • Fill in another layer of substrate on top
  • The soil cover corresponds to twice the height of the tulip bulbs
  • The dwarf and wild tulips get their place on it

The third substrate level is two to three times as thick as the flower bulbs are tall. Orient each onion so that the tip is pointing toward the sky. In contrast to the bed, the tulips can be arranged close together in the pot as long as the onion skins do not touch.

Winter coat protects the pot from biting frost

In the narrowly limited substrate volume and behind the reasonably thin container walls, it could get too frosty for tulip bulbs. Since the necessary cold stimulus is not exerted when moving to the winter quarters, we recommend a light winter protection. Place the bucket in front of the protective south wall of the house, push a block of wood under it and wrap it with fleece, jute or bubble wrap.

tips

You create a motley spring picture in the bucket when you combine different bulb flowers with tulips. An arrangement of crocuses, grape hyacinths, small daffodils, checkered flowers, bluebells and tulips draws everyone's attention on the balcony and terrace.

Category:

Vegetable garden