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Tulip trouble

MMflowerMMflower Posts: 79
in Problem solving

Hi, I just saw that my tulips are already starting to flower even though they haven't grown to a 'full' plant size yet What could be wrong or is this normal?

image

 

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  • MMflowerMMflower Posts: 79

    Edd, yes, they are new bulbs, planted last October. It's just strange as the other lot that I planted in another planter, have not bloomed at all. And these plants are barely 4-6 inches tall with blooms.

  • ClaringtonClarington Posts: 4,949

    Oh. I have some doing that I just thought they were short arse varieties! What were they like last year?

  • MMflowerMMflower Posts: 79

    Hmm, they might be, just not sure...ermm, I bought and planted quite a few varieties last year but didn't note down what they were. image

  • seilseil Posts: 16

    It could be weather related too.  If they took a late frost after they had come up it could have stunted them somewhat.  

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,358

    They do look like stunted versions of large ones rather than small varieties don't they.



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • SwissSueSwissSue Posts: 1,447

    That soil looks very soggy, have they got enough drainage? They could be too wet.

  • MMflowerMMflower Posts: 79

    Yes, they do have drainage but I may have over-watered them when there was no real need. image My over-enthusiasm to get lots of color in the garden has meant itchy fingers and the need to just DO something every day. Perhaps I should've let them be...

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,358

    Tulips in the garden don't need watering at this time of yearimage



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • WateryWatery Posts: 388

    Mine are doing the same thing.  I was thinking not enough water.  I planted them in the same concrete planter outside as I did last year (new compost) but didn't water often and last year they were fine and tall but this year some are starting to flower at 4 inches tall.  New bulbs.  I thought maybe because it wasn't as wet this past winter as it was the winter before.  I got the bulbs from a different place this year... J Parker rather than the local garden centre.

     

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,969

    That picture looks very familiar - I think it's one of the Kaufmaniana tulips (sometimes known as the Waterlily tulip).  Early flowering, very short stemmed, large blooms with long petals that open like a waterlily. 

    Don't worry, they're doing what they're supposed to do image  but stop watering them!


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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