Tulip Tulipa 'Angels Wish' (5)

Water

Tulips, including the 'Angel's Wish' variety, prefer consistently moist soil during the spring growing season, and should be watered about once a week with 1 inch of water. Watering should take place in the morning to allow moisture on the leaves to dry out during the day to prevent fungal diseases. Once the leaves yellow and die back, watering should be reduced to allow the soil to dry out as the bulbs enter dormancy. During dormancy, usually in the summer and fall, they require no additional watering, unless the area experiences extremely dry conditions.

Light

Tulips like 'Angel's Wish' thrive in full sunlight, which means they do best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Plant them in a spot that receives the morning sun, as this is less intense and can help the flowers last longer. Avoid areas that are shaded for a majority of the day or are under the dense canopy of trees, as insufficient sunlight can lead to weak stems and poor flowering.

Temperature

The 'Angel's Wish' tulip, as with other tulips, prefers cooler climates and will bloom in the spring when temperatures are between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 45 to 55 degrees at night. They require a chilling period with temperatures between 35 and 45 degrees for about 12 to 16 weeks to initiate blooming. Tulip bulbs can survive winter temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit when properly planted in the ground, but prolonged exposure to temperatures above 70 degrees after planting can hinder flower development.

Pruning

Pruning tulips like 'Angel's Wish' primarily involves deadheading, which is the removal of spent flowers to prevent the plant from wasting resources on seed production. As soon the petals start to fall, snip or pinch off the flower heads. Leave the foliage intact, allowing it to die back naturally, as this helps recharge the bulbs for the next season. Prune only the flower stalks once they have finished blooming, and the rest of the plant usually requires no pruning until it yellows and wilts.

Cleaning

Not needed

Soil

Tulips prefer well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A mixture of loamy soil with added sand and compost would be ideal to provide the proper nutrients and drainage. It's beneficial to incorporate bone meal into the soil mix for bulb development.

Repotting

Tulips typically do not require repotting as they are perennial bulbs. They should be lifted and divided every 3-5 years to prevent overcrowding and to maintain vigor.

Humidity & Misting

Tulips thrive in outdoor conditions with natural humidity levels. They do not require any special humidity considerations as they are well-adapted to a range of outdoor climates.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Grow in bright light, cool temp, with proper bulb chilling period.

• Outdoor

  Plant bulbs in fall, sunny spot, 4-6 inches deep, spaced 3-6 in.

• Hardiness zone

  3-8 USDA

Life cycle

The Tulipa 'Angel's Wish', commonly known as tulip, begins its life cycle when the bulb is planted in autumn before the first frost. After a period of winter chilling, the bulb enters a phase of spring growth, sending up leaves and a flower stalk as temperatures rise. Blooming typically occurs in mid-spring, where the flowers showcase their striking colors and may attract pollinators, although tulips are primarily propagated through their bulbs rather than seeds. After flowering, the tulip’s foliage continues to photosynthesize to replenish the bulb’s energy reserves. Towards early summer, the leaves yellow and die back as the plant enters dormancy, retreating into the bulb which survives underground. The cycle is ready to begin anew the following autumn, with the bulb producing offsets (baby bulbs) that can be separated to grow new plants.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring

• Tulip 'Angels Wish' is typically propagated by dividing and replanting its bulbs. The optimal time to propagate tulips by bulb division is in the fall, as they require a period of cool dormancy to bloom. After the foliage has yellowed and died back, which usually happens by late summer, the bulbs can be carefully dug up from the ground. The offset bulbs that have formed alongside the main bulb can be gently separated and then replanted at a depth of about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) apart from each other, ensuring proper root development and bloom the following spring. This method encourages the healthy spread of the plants and is the most efficient way to propagate tulips ensuring genetic consistency and strong performance of the progeny.