Problems with tulips

[clone4life82]

Not a green thumb so turning to all you landscape and hort gurus on CF... we plant tulips in some landscaping a few years back. The first year they looked great. Second year, less flowered. Third yea the same. This year we have less than five flowers. Wondering what’s going on? Anyone have any thoughts. I’ll try and attach a picture for your reference.

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

When that happened to us it was mostly because they grew up/out so early that they got snowed on and freeze hit them as well.

 

[Showtimeljs]

A. Your mulch looks a little deep. Might to stunting their growth a little.
B. Tulips are tricky, the first year is almost always the best performing year. Typically the bulbs are sold selected/primed for a great first year.

 

[Macloney]

Tulip bulbs produce new growth every year and the old portion of the bulb stops producing. If the new parts of the bulb get to compacted that will hamper the growth. The bulbs need to be dug up and divided every three years.

I am not saying that is what is wrong with your bulbs, but it is hard to guess with the lack of information you provided.

Do you cut back, wait for them to die back naturally, fertilize, test soil, have adequate light, have an unusually wet or dry year, etc.? Is the bulb depth correct?

Start with Phosphorus. It is usually all about the NPK's. Like tons of flowers, Tulips can be the easiest or hardest things to grow successfully long term.

 

[tman24]

Tulips are only good for 2 years at most.

 

[Macloney]

Tulips are only good for 2 years at most.

Based on what? I have never heard of this and know of well cared for tulip bulbs lasting way more than 2 years.

 

[Doc]

I thought this was about the town of Pella when I first saw it. Sis told me days ago there was some pressure to tear up the tulips to reduce tourism. Also, there are cops at the bakeries to try to keep people socially distanced.

 

[Acylum]

I think your problem is if you ain’t Dutch you ain’t much.

 

[farm85]

 

[ianoconnor]

Switch to daffodils. They come back strong every year.

 

[Waukee4Cy]

Petunias are easy and come back strong every year. Smell good, too.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

I thought this was about the town of Pella when I first saw it. Sis told me days ago there was some pressure to tear up the tulips to reduce tourism. Also, there are cops at the bakeries to try to keep people socially distanced.

Oh man, I need to stop and get a fresh bismark while I'm back in Iowa. Thanks for that reminder!

 

[Doc]

Oh man, I need to stop and get a fresh bismark while I'm back in Iowa. Thanks for that reminder!

Where are you now?

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Where are you now?

Humboldt. Been shut down for the last 5 weeks.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Not Holland.

So.....

 

[ImJustKCClone]

If you ever need to know about shade bloomers (lilies, hostas, etc), I'm your source.
But tulips hate me.
That is all.

 

[besserheimerphat]

Three things I know about the Dutch:

1. Wooden boats
2. Wooden shoes
3. Wouldn' listen

 

[IcSyU]

If you ever need to know about shade bloomers (lilies, hostas, etc), I'm your source.
But tulips hate me.
That is all.

So...the weeds of the flower world? I don't think it's actually possible to kill lilies or hostas. Even I can keep those alive.

 

[tman24]

Based on what? I have never heard of this and know of well cared for tulip bulbs lasting way more than 2 years.

All the tulips i grow after 2. they get smaller and blooms dont get as big. After the 3rd year they are basically just growing the leaves like the op.

 

[Turn2]

Ten out of nine times in an Ankeny yard I'd wager it's poor drainage with lack of soil organic matter. But I can't determine that from your pic, only from past experience. The Mrs. has determined that we will soon give tulips another go. Those are the problems we'll need to overcome. That and the bunnies.