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How much soil do tulips require below?

AstroAstro Posts: 433
in Plants
I'm putting tulips in pots with the intention of sinking some into the border. It's well documented that they need approx 6-8 inches of soil above them, but how much soil do they need below?
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Posts

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    1 or 2 inches is enough. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - they don't need much @Astro. I have them in pots with about a foot of depth, so they don't have a lot under them.
    You can 'cram' them a bit more in pots anyway, but be careful that they aren't touching  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    There’s a good bit of info here although I only use 6” of soil over them, any less and they will tip over when in flower. 1 - 2 inches apart is good. 
    https://m.wikihow.com/Grow-Tulips-in-Pots
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • AstroAstro Posts: 433
    Thanks that's a great help. I'm pleased because it means it won't requires loads of compost in the pots, and won't have to dig too deep to bury pots.  I know about the potential of rotting if they are too close @Fairygirl but it's a good reminder  :) .
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited October 2019
    If they have a good, free draining medium, and reasonable depth, they should perform well.  :)
    I found this site  a while ago when looking for something else. It might be useful  :)
    https://www.vanengelen.com/htulips.html
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AstroAstro Posts: 433
    That's great @Fairygirl , there is a lot of useful indepth information in the link you provided. I'm more realising  the world of tulips is bigger than I'd thought. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I don't know if you've tried the little species tulips @Astro. They're beautiful, and much easier than the big fancy ones. Generally smaller, and more limited with colours, but they naturalise, and come back each year. I have quite a lot of them, and more people seem to be growing them now too  :)
    Nyssens stock them,and several others, although it might be a bit late for buying some types now.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AstroAstro Posts: 433
    I haven't grown species tulips @Fairygirl , to the best of my knowledge anyway . I've only been aware of them for a short time, they look very nice, more delicate and different to the norm, maybe next year  :) This year I got doll's minuet, exotic emporer, Tom pouce, flaming  purissima for the front and Yokohama, sweetheart, Miranda double red, Darwin hybrid red and scarlet baby for the back.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I love tulips but I'd have to buy them every year really - the species ones are better value for me. If I get a couple of years from the others, that's quite good.
    I did get tempted by some called V.van Gogh though  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AstroAstro Posts: 433
    Hi @Fairygirl, I checked on my tulip pots today and noticed some roots are coming out of the bottom of pots. Any thoughts on to whether I should take action? 
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