Growing tulips from seed is an open-ended gardening challenge. A time-consuming process has to be mastered in order to be surprised by the result years later. The following lines explain in practice how to sow tulip seeds correctly.

The seed pods are only remotely reminiscent of a tulip

Harvesting seeds at the right time - this is how it works

You can't grow tulips from seed unless you ignore one key aspect of the maintenance regimen. In order to harvest the seeds, the withered flowers must not be cut off. Only under this condition do the hoped-for seed capsules develop from pollinated flowers. Tulipa usually take 8 to 10 weeks for this ripening process. How to properly harvest tulip seeds for sowing:

  • Harvest-ready seed pods are completely dried and brown in color
  • Carefully cut off the seeds or break them off with two fingers
  • Crush the capsules between your hands over a bowl

Then use a sieve to separate the seeds from the remains of the capsules. If necessary, sieve the seed several times.

Stratify first - seed later - this is how you do it right

To prevent tulip seeds from germinating prematurely, Mother Nature equipped them with a germination inhibitor. A cold period of several weeks is required before sowing to motivate the seeds to germinate. You can implement the process known in technical jargon as stratification in this way:

  • Sow the fresh seeds in a clay pot on a mix of potting soil and sand and water
  • Thinly sieve with sand and cover with a layer of small pebbles or aquarium gravel
  • Place in the garden in a partially shaded spot for 4 to 6 weeks

After 2 months at the latest, life is stirring in the tulip seeds. As spring progresses, long, green seedlings sprout. During this time, keep the seed slightly moist. Only when the sprouts wilt and fall off do the long-awaited tulip bulbs develop at their ends. Get the tiny ones out of the ground to plant them in a pot with lean potting soil.

Put it in the fridge in a mild winter

If winter comes with consistently mild weather, tulip seeds in the garden do not experience the cold stimulus they need. Now repurpose the refrigerator crisper into a winter weather simulation room. Put the seeds in a plastic bag with damp sand or sphagnum. Store the seeds tightly closed for 4 to 6 weeks at temperatures between - 4 and + 4 degrees Celsius. Only then sow the stratified seeds in pots with potting soil.

tips

You will look in vain for tulip seeds in specialist shops. The reason for this is that sowing dried seeds is doomed to failure. You will only grow gorgeous tulips from seed if you use fresh, hand-picked seeds that you sow promptly.

Category:

Vegetable garden