Cutting tulips: this is how it works

A sea of ​​tulips is one of the most beautiful sights in spring. The bulbs are already planted in autumn and can normally spend the winter in the ground without any problems (here you can find out more about planting tulips). Fortunately, they are very frugal, but they especially love it sunny! During flowering, every tulip lover should make sure that they always get enough water. But please avoid waterlogging, because these plants don't like it at all. We explain here when it is time to cut them off.

Then you should cut tulips

Even if the flowering phase is felt to be too short, it makes sense to cut it. If you do not cut your tulips in the bed too early or too late, the flower could lose valuable energy.

You cut the tulips in two steps:

  1. … when the flowers have withered
  2. … when the rest of the leaves turn yellow

1. Cut flowers

The edges of the flowers slowly fade, this is the signal for you to cut them. Because now the plant gives all of its power to seed formation, but most hobby gardeners would much more like a new vigorous bloom than a further multiplication, right ?! Now cut off the tulip flowers at the base, you leave the rest.

2. Cut green stuff

The leaves only follow in the second step. As long as they are still juicy green, it is important to leave them standing. The plant still has energy reserves here, because the plant sap has to be returned to the bulb so that the tulip will bloom again next year.

Are the leaves yellowed and dead?, you cut this off the ground. If you can easily pluck the leaves, it is already too late. There is a risk of putrefaction here – so keep an eye on the leaves beforehand!

Days, possibly weeks, should pass between the first and the second step, so the plant gets enough energy for the tulip bulbs.

Tulips in a vase – tips for cut flowers

As cut flowers, tulips are actually available all year round. But they also look adorable from their own green realm behind the house. How to keep the tulips in the vase:

  • The following applies to tulips from your own garden: cut in the early morning and make sure that they are completely dry.
  • Cut the cut flowers for the vase straight with a knife.
  • Just put them in a high vase, they can use the hold!
  • Do not fill the container with too much water, otherwise the stems can quickly become moldy.
  • Change the water regularly, in the course you can cut them again.

What is permaculture in the garden, when should you cut roses and how can Dipladenia be overwintered? You can find even more tips for your garden on our garden design theme page.