Taking Care of Tulip Flowers is easy as long as you know the right way! Here’s a detailed guide on How to Grow Tulips in India that will help you to have these blooms in your garden.
Tulips are popular for their cup-shaped flowers that come in red, yellow, and white hues. Growing them in India can be quite tricky as they need cold temperatures to do well. To make it easy for you, we bring you all the information you need on How to Grow Tulips in India!
Learn all about growing Marigolds from flowers here
How to Grow Tulips?
Tulip is the cool season grower, and growing them in the tropical climate of India requires a bit of prep.
- The best way to grow tulips is from bulbs. Purchase good quality bulbs from a nursery or a garden shop.
- The best time to grow these bulbs is December in India.
- Plant them directly in the garden bed or pot, at least 6-8 inches deep.
- Add mulch to keep the bulbs cool and moist.
Growing Requirements for Tulips
Sunlight
Tulip grows best in full to partial sunlight exposure. Hence, find a bright location that receives 5-7 hours of direct light per day. If you are growing them indoors, keep them near a south-facing window.
Soil
Tulip grows best in well-draining and fertile soil, with a pH 6-7.5, amended with compost or cow dung manure. For containers use a good quality potting mix.
Watering
The plant does best in a moist growing medium. Water the plant when the topsoil feels a bit dry to the touch. Do not let the growing medium dr completely. Also, avoid overwatering.
Climate
Tulip needs around 10-12 weeks of ‘cold period’ to grow best. In the tropical climate of India, keep tulip bulbs in the refrigerator prior to planting and then directly plant them outside in peak winters.
Taking Care of Tulips
Fertilizer
Feed the plant with a slow-release 9-9-6 or 10-15-10 fertilizer during the growing phase of springs, and summers, once in 4-5 weeks. Do refer to the label for dosage and instructions.
Mulch
Mulch the base with a 2-3 inches layer of shredded bark, grass clippings, straw, or shredded leaves.
Pests and Diseases
Look out for aphids and spider mites. You can get rid of them using a neem oil solution. To keep most of the diseases at bay, avoid overwatering and make sure the plant gets good air circulation.