Tulip bulbs after flowering?

I have had some wonderful tulips this year. This year (their first) they have flowered in planters and now I want to know what I should do to keep them to plant again for next year. When or should I lift them? and do I have to dry them out. I would be most grateful for instructions.

Tulip bulbs after flowering?
If you live in a cool climate; up north, you do need to dig them out, let them sit for a couple of weeks, dust them with sulphur and store them dry in a barn or shelter out of the light where they will get some air circulation to keep them from rotting and insects.





If you live down south, like I do, you have to buy new ones every year because they rot in the ground over summer; its just too hot here for them to thrive. Additionally it doesnt get cold enough long enough for them to go dormant and get their rest. ---Okay, occasionally a couple might pull through but they will be dwarfed in size compared to what they were last year...
Reply:Fertilise them now while the foliage is beginning to break down. Then when the leaves are completely brown and dead, lift your bulbs, wash the dirt from them, dry them completely and store in an airy dark spot until next autumn (Fall).





Then replant and start the whole procedure again. Enjoy.
Reply:tulips are like daffodils,,when they have flowered you should leave them alone ,,the plants having flowered will drain all the nutrients out of the stalks and back into the bulbs for next years flowering,,if you need the border then lift and store in a cool dry place leaving them to draw back the nutrients from the stalks into the bulbs,,,plant out again the following year.
Reply:That depends on how cold it gets where you live. I would leave them, I had a bit of everthing in planters and they survived
Reply:I live in Wisconsin, zone 4 and have never dug a bulb out either. I just let the stalks die on their own, when they're dried up I cut them off and they just keep coming back year after year.
Reply:Once the flowers are completely dead and gone, take the bulbs out of the soil and let them dry on the ground. Protect them from animals and bugs. When they are dry, put them away safely until 4 - 6 weeks before planting, then put them in a brown paper bag in the crisper compartment of your fridge. This will give them a great start when you plant them out and you should get the same fabulous results you had this year. Good luck. Also get advice from local nursery and in books on tulips.
Reply:Dont take them out, they will multiply themselves and just pop up again next year. Unless you want to move their location of course!
Reply:Hi, i recommand you a good and basic tutorial for home and garden. it covers all Issues related to your home, garden and everything around it.





http://www.tutorialforyou.net/garden/





wish it will help you.





Good Luck , Best Wishes!
Reply:i dont do anything with mine! i leavethem and each year they come back beautiful and with more on them aswell this year i had loads they are my fav flowers
Reply:You know this is funny...





I have lived in New Hampshire and, now, Oregon and I have never taken a bulb out of the ground.. Not Once.





They came back year after year in New Hampshire, and they come back without fail in Oregon ( but some rot with all the water we get in the winter).





I just let them die, shrivel a bit, and then I clip them at the ground. (I have seen some people fold them and band them, but that seems silly)





I guess if you found a really nice batch that you want to be prize possesions you should listen to the first lady, and do some reading of your own in your spare time.
Reply:replant em outside in ur chosen spot, plant at the same depth they were growing, let the leaves die back naturally, once the leaves have turned brown.. cut them down level with the ground, and they will come up bright and cheery next spring! ... some bulbs mulitply too if left alone... u never know! good luck!
Reply:I live in the Seattle area and I have never taken my tulips up they do very well on there own. I do give them fertilizer in the spring when I first seen them coming up.After they are done blooming just leave them alone the stems will send what ever the bulbs need to them. I had some really pretty ones this year!