Tulips after flowering in pots

katrinkemp

my tulips in pots finished flowering, i would like to use the pots for something else. Can i put the bulbs in the ground somewhere and hope they come back or no chance? Also the compost - is it reusable or just good enough for the compost? thanks 

Fire

There is a current discussion on this here

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1063782/planting-out-spent-tulips-from-pots/p1

Fairygirl

There's another thread at the moment with the same query @katrinkemp, which will give you info.
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1064044/removing-bulbs-from-planters#latest
It will often depend on the variety of tulip, and your conditions as to how well they come back. They benefit from being fed as they die back. You can pop them into spare pots to die back too, if you need the pots they're in just now   

The compost can certainly be used as a mulch/conditioner on beds and borders. It won't have any nutrition left in it though, so it's of little value as a growing medium. Fine for using in the bottom of big pots, to save using all new stuff to fill them, but it will depend on what you're going to plant. It can also be mixed with fresh compost for seed sowing if you do that. 

Biglad

What type of feed is best for tulips whilst dying back, folks?

Dovefromabove

I use tomato feed, reasoning that we want them to build up flowering energy. Not sure if I’m right tho …. Anyone …???

Fairygirl

Almost anything @Biglad. I always have tomato food, so I use that. FB&Bone is also good if you aren't going to get foxes in digging it up. 

AnniD

Yes, tomato feed , anything high in potassium. Seaweed feed would probably do as well.

Biglad

Marvellous! I have tomato feed and FBB  

Thanks d-fab, FG and @AnniD