This was the first year I've grown tulips seriously (well, kind of seriously). I planted around 1200 bulbs last fall to experiment with them and see if tulips are something I would like to invest in again in the future.
One of the reasons I even tried out tulips in the first place is that they are a great cut flower for the springtime. They have given me a ray of sunshine this past month and a sense that there will be more blooms to come. However, the main reason I grew them is because I found an organic bulb company (the only one in the U.S. I believe) called Eco Tulips. While I was on their website, I noticed they sold wholesale tulips at a very reasonable price (.26/bulb!!). I thought it was too good to be true, especially since they are organic bulbs, and organic bulbs are very hard to source. I want to give a shout out to Eco Tulips because they offer such a valuable resource to organic growers. In addition to tulips, they also sell gladiolus, dahlias, and Iris that can be used as cuts.
I've realized that I do love tulips, and now I have a better idea of what they are like! For instance, they continue to grow a few inches after you cut them, so you can arrange them perfectly one day, and the next morning they have grown out of your design! I am still learning about the appropriate stage of harvest for longest vase life, but i have the best luck when color is showing, but not all color, and the bud has not opened (see bottom right photo). In addition, they are not the most cost effective flower since you only get one bloom per stem, but they give you something to offer and make you a little money in the end if you make the most of every flower.
One of the reasons I even tried out tulips in the first place is that they are a great cut flower for the springtime. They have given me a ray of sunshine this past month and a sense that there will be more blooms to come. However, the main reason I grew them is because I found an organic bulb company (the only one in the U.S. I believe) called Eco Tulips. While I was on their website, I noticed they sold wholesale tulips at a very reasonable price (.26/bulb!!). I thought it was too good to be true, especially since they are organic bulbs, and organic bulbs are very hard to source. I want to give a shout out to Eco Tulips because they offer such a valuable resource to organic growers. In addition to tulips, they also sell gladiolus, dahlias, and Iris that can be used as cuts.
I've realized that I do love tulips, and now I have a better idea of what they are like! For instance, they continue to grow a few inches after you cut them, so you can arrange them perfectly one day, and the next morning they have grown out of your design! I am still learning about the appropriate stage of harvest for longest vase life, but i have the best luck when color is showing, but not all color, and the bud has not opened (see bottom right photo). In addition, they are not the most cost effective flower since you only get one bloom per stem, but they give you something to offer and make you a little money in the end if you make the most of every flower.
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