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Tulips in pots

FritillaryFritillary Posts: 498
in Problem solving

I have several bags of tulips to plant up and I was wondering what compost to use. A bag of ordinary bulb compost or would a mix of  different ingredients be better. 

Thank you image

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  • D0rdogne_DamselD0rdogne_Damsel Posts: 4,184

    My local nursery man told me all the goodness is in the bulb and ordinary (?) compost would be fine. Not sure if that helps, sure an expert will be along soon. I suppose good drainage is the most important thing. I love tulips. image

    • “Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,140

    I use ordinary multi-purpose compost for pots of bulbs for outside.  image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123
    Multi purpose is best. The comment above about it all being in the bulb is quite right. If you want them to replant for the year after that's when you need feeding.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    I always buy cheaper compost for bulbs than I would for my plants. 3 for £10.00 or whatever the offer is.

     Edited to add

    Maybe  best to cover with a close mesh, the squirrels or voles  will have them.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • FritillaryFritillary Posts: 498

    Thank you very much for the advice.image

    I will use an ordinary multi purpose, and I will definitely  cover them with mesh. We have been plagued with squirrels this year. Took most of our hazlenuts and walnuts. Only got a few left for Christmas.image

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    I use multi purpose too but I often add some grit  to keep the drainage sharp image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • no commentno comment Posts: 99

    I've had tulips in pots for years and they do really well.  I use two thirds multi purpose and one third John Innes, with a very large helping of horticultural grit.  When they're finished, I fork in a small handful of bonemeal or rose food,( recommended by a professional gardener) and put the pot somewhere to let the foliage die down naturally.  The following spring they grow and flower as good as ever.  I've had one pot going for 4 years.

  • HOLEDIGGERHOLEDIGGER Posts: 87
    I very much agree with birdyboots.
  • no commentno comment Posts: 99

    Me again Holedigger.  I forgot to mention that after I've covered the drainage hole in the pot with crocks, I always put a small layer of grit before I add the growing medium.  Drainage is a key element in all planting as far as I'm concerned, and don't forget to put a label in the pot, because if you've got lots of pots you won't remember what's in each one when the foliage dies back.  (That's not always foolproof either, a few years ago my new puppy pulled the labels out of all my stored pots - I didn't have a clue what was in each one until they flowered).

  • no commentno comment Posts: 99

    Sorry Fritillary and Holedigger, I put the wrong name on my last post - I obviously need a strong cup of tea!

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