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Moving tulips

kasjkkasjk Posts: 137
in Plants
Hi all, I planted some tulips last autumn because I bought a load from Wilkos (they were so cheap, couldn't resist) and had to just plant them anywhere I could fit them in the garden. At the moment they are coming up but it's only about 10cm-ish leaves showing. I know ideally I should move them once they've died down but would it cause any issues if I did it now? 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,134
    It wouldn't be advisable unless you can get to them easily @kasjk, and are very careful about getting down below them. That's the trickiest part.
    However, if you don't mind losing a few, and you absolutely need to move them, then it's worth a go.
    Best to wait until they've finished flowering though, but if they only have a little foliage just now, that could be a while.  :/
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • kasjkkasjk Posts: 137
    Hi Fairygirl, thanks for the answer. Yes that could be a while I suppose but I don't really want to lose any so I'll just have to be patient :)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,134
    Cultivating patience is as hard as cultivating the tulips - often harder  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Samridout92Samridout92 Posts: 95
    I to have loads of tulips at around 10-15cm high. I was worrying as to why they are not out yet! When I look at others out I get paranoid. Is this something to be concerned about?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,134
    What kinds are they @Samridout92? It often depends on your location and conditions etc, and how they were doing last year after flowering.
    The species ones are different to the bigger, blousier kinds too. They're earlier. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Samridout92Samridout92 Posts: 95
    Fairygirl said:
    What kinds are they @Samridout92? It often depends on your location and conditions etc, and how they were doing last year after flowering.
    The species ones are different to the bigger, blousier kinds too. They're earlier. 
    I believe they were the fringed variety but I planted them latish so that’s probably why! These are first year for them. 
  • AstroAstro Posts: 407
    I planted different types at the same time and some have been in flower for weeks, some are just showing and others are just leaf. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,134
    I think weather conditions last year may also have had an effect. Although tulips like drier conditions when growing, they also need adequate nourishment to build them up and a cold period later in the year. I reckon many bulbs may not have had the conditions they really need to be at their best. Daffs/narcissus are easier than tulips, so they will have coped better - generally.
    It also depends on the size of the bulbs, and as @Astro says, like all bulbs, they will also appear at different times, so some may just be later than others in coming through. Tulips are later up here anyway - we wouldn't expect to see them to be flowering for a few weeks yet, so it might just be a bit early for them.
    In many areas, tulips are best planted from November onwards, to avoid tulip virus, as it's too warm. We can plant them earlier here. It's surprising how they can look as if they're doing nothing, and then suddenly they're up and flowering, so fingers crossed that they'll suddenly go 'Ta Da' and you can enjoy them  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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