Planting Tulips Indoor

Planting tulips in a small greenhouse is an easy manage winter gardening project.

Since we have a close to nature greenhouse, we had planted many different types of flowers, vegetables, plants and small flowering trees in it every year.


I love to do experiments and research; so that, I could enjoy all the unlimited on going exciting experiences.


Last year we received a large number of free Dutch tulip bulbs from friends and family members, besides those special species that, we bought earlier.


With limited space, we simply cannot insert all the bulbs in the open ground, so we had planted some in the greenhouse and some indoor.


Growing tulips in containers and pots is not difficult; and planting them in the greenhouse is even easier.


To me, greenhouse is more like a shelter for their winter protection.

Planting Tulips with Great Success

1. Buy fresh bulbs; unpack the bulbs immediately and separate them into groups according to the colours; or mix if you wish.


2. Prepare some pots; shallow zinc containers; or baskets. Place some sand at the base or layer of crocks to prevent rotting. You may add potting soil; or fibre; or mix.


3. Put 3 to 4 bulbs (picture 1) in a pot; press your bulbs in it so far that only the very top shows (picture 2). Press with your thumb the soil firmly down round the bulb; and fill the open space up to the edge of the pot and wet the soil.


I did not give them extra cover; because the greenhouse screen would help to block the chilling wind off in the winter.


Tulip Bulbs Growth
* The bulbs sprouted on the day 91 (picture 3).

* The leaves appeared on the day 113 (picture 4).

* The leaves were taller on the day 128 (picture 5).

Image 1-4

* The tulip buds appeared on the day 140 (picture 6).

* The flower buds started to colour on the day 145 (picture 7).

Image 5-8

* One of the bud was ready for cutting (picture 8).


Non-forcing Greenhouse Spring Bulbs
If you plan to force bulbs to enjoy the flowers in 2 to 3 months, then you may plant them in October; and once the flower buds appear; bring them in a dark cool room indoor in mid-January.


The room temperature should be kept at 18 to 22°C or 65 to 70°F. Thereafter, put the pot gradually to the light.


We did not force bulbs. We left them in the free flow fresh air grow house as if they were outdoor in the open ground. This way, they will grow naturally according to the change of temperature.

Image 9-12

We discovered that, those solid bulbs that we bought earlier were growing steady; but those free single early tulips bulb from friends were not growing well (picture 9-11); some bulbs stop blooming (picture 12) suddenly; and some did not even turned up.

Natural Tulips Care

If you wish to have them in the vase; cut off the flower stems when the flower buds are still green. In this way, they will continue their growth in the vase. You will enjoy them much longer in house.


After a few days, you may shorten the stems to prolong the flowering time. They will last for another few days.


Remember to get hard and sound bulbs when you are buying them fresh every year.


Try planting tulips in a protected house and set-up your own organic tulips gifts business?

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