Chilling a tulip! what to do next?

[GardenGeek]

Hello all;

I am doing an experiment of forcing a tulip bulb to grow artificially by chilling :)
I have been chilling one Darwin Hybrid tulip bulb in a paper bag inside my refrigerator for about 8 weeks now as an experiment.

But i don't know what to do next ?

Do I need to wait 4 more weeks in chilling? Should I plant it in a pot in my garage ~ 10*C to develop roots?

Please share, Thanks

[Chris]

You should be able to pot it up now.

[Rose White]

Hi

To get the tulip bulb to bloom after leaving it in your freezer or refrigerator for 8 weeks, you need to plant it in the ground about 6 or 8 weeks before it is normal for tulips to bloom in your climate. Short tulip bulbs (8") bloom early April, and tall bulbs (36") bloom as late as July in zone 4, in Philadelphia.

I like the idea of using a freezer instead of a fridge because if you store fruit in your fridge it gives off a gas which is harmful to bulbs. The paper bag may help, though.

Good luck and let me know how it works, OK? :rolleyes: