Potted Tulips

[Morose01]

I live in MO, and my mother gave my Tulips for Easter as they are my favorite flower, but they have since died in the pot, but I'm not sure what to do with the bulbs in order to plant them outside.* It's still pretty chilly here in MO for April.* What should I do?

Becky in MO.

[Newt]

Hi Becky,

What a lovely gift.* Unfortunately potted bulbs such as tulips, hyacinths and daffodils are usually treated as annuals and discarded.* These bulbs have been forced and, especially tulips, don't often return to bloom again.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/project...fterBloom.html

Of course you are free to try.* Water as you did when they were in bloom.* When the foilage turns completely yellow, cut off the yellowed leaves and plant in the garden when you can work the soil.

For bulbs that will return year after year you can look at these sites.
http://www.bulb.com/templates/dispat...=100&tg=public
http://www.slate.com/id/2138844/
http://www.theplantexpert.com/spring...Perennial.html

Newt