Tulip Tulipa 'Aladdin's Record' (6)

Water

Tulips require moderation in watering, avoiding overwatering. During their growth period, tulips typically need about 1 inch of water each week, either from rainfall or supplemental watering. The soil should be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. When watering, apply the water directly to the soil to avoid wetting the foliage, which can promote disease. It's best to water deeply and infrequently rather than a little each day, ensuring the water reaches the bulb; this may equate to about half a gallon per square foot every week, depending on soil conditions and climate.

Light

For optimal growth, tulips need full to partial sunlight. They thrive best in a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Ensure that your tulips are planted in a spot where they can enjoy the morning sun, as this can help dry dew on the leaves, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.

Temperature

Tulips prefer cool temperatures and are best suited to climates where temperatures average between 60°F and 70°F during their growing season. They can survive short periods of colder temperatures, down to about 20°F, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below this can damage or kill the plant. Ideally, night temperatures should hover around 50°F for optimal growth and flower development.

Pruning

Pruning tulips involves deadheading the spent flowers after blooming to prevent the plant from expending energy on seed production. Cut back the flower stalks to the base once the blooms have faded but leave the foliage in place. The leaves should be allowed to die back naturally, as this process helps the plant to store energy for the next year's growth. Prune tulips annually, immediately after the blooms have finished.

Cleaning

Not needed

Soil

Tulips, including 'Aladdin's Record', thrive in well-draining, fertile soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH, around 6.0 to 7.0. The best soil mix for tulips involves a blend of loamy soil mixed with sand and organic matter such as compost to improve drainage and fertility.

Repotting

Tulips, like 'Aladdin's Record', do not need to be repotted as they are perennial bulbs. However, they should be lifted and divided every 3-5 years to avoid overcrowding and to rejuvenate their vigour.

Humidity & Misting

'Aladdin's Record' tulip prefers moderate ambient humidity levels, but it is not highly sensitive to humidity variations, being more tolerant of what is available naturally outdoors.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright indirect light, and cool temperatures for 'Aladdin's Record' tulips grown indoors.

• Outdoor

  Plant 'Aladdin's Record' tulips in fall, well-drained soil, full sun.

• Hardiness zone

  3-8 USDA

Life cycle

Tulipa 'Aladdin's Record', commonly known as tulip, begins its life as a bulb planted in well-draining soil, typically in the fall before the first frost. During the winter, the bulb undergoes a period of dormancy which is critical for the development of the flower. As temperatures warm in spring, the bulb breaks dormancy, and new growth emerges from the soil, initially as shoots and then developing into leaves and a stem. The tulip enters its flowering stage in late spring, where the stem elongates and a bud forms, which eventually blooms into a vibrant, colorful flower. After the flowering peak, the petals wilt and drop off, and the plant begins to redirect energy into the bulb for the next season. Once the leaves have yellowed and died back by early summer, the plant enters a dormant phase once again, completing its annual life cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring

• Tulipa 'Aladdin's Record', commonly known as tulip, is typically propagated through the division of its bulbs. The ideal time for this process is in the fall, after the foliage has died back and the bulb has entered a dormant state. To propagate by division, the mature bulbs are carefully unearthed and the smaller, offset bulbs that have formed at the base are gently separated. These offsets, or daughter bulbs, should be allowed to dry for a day or two before being planted in well-draining soil at a depth three times the height of the bulb, approximately 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) apart to allow for growth and expansion. Once planted, the bulbs will root and establish themselves throughout the fall and winter, emerging as new tulip plants in the spring. This method is the most common and effective way to propagate tulips and increase the number of tulip plants in your garden.