Hello, dedicated caretaker. I am your tulip bulb, a vessel of potential life waiting for the perfect conditions to unfold. To guide you through my annual cycle, here is my preferred schedule, spoken from my perspective.
After my summer dormancy, I am ready for my "winter." Please plant me in a pot with well-draining soil, pointy-end up, and cover me with about 6 inches of soil. Water me thoroughly once, then place me in a dark, cold location (between 35-48°F or 2-9°C), like an unheated garage or refrigerator. This cold period, lasting 12-16 weeks, is not optional; it is vital. It mimics the winter chill of my native grounds and triggers the biochemical processes that allow my flower embryo to develop and my roots to establish a strong foundation. Check my soil moisture occasionally; I should be slightly damp, never soggy or bone dry.
I am still in my cold treatment, but beneath the soil, a quiet revolution is happening. My roots are now a dense, white network, drinking in the minimal moisture and storing energy. By the end of this period, you might see a pale yellow shoot just beginning to push towards the surface if you were to peek. My internal clock is counting down the weeks of cold. Do not rush me out yet; I require the full chilling time to ensure a strong, healthy stem and a properly formed bloom.
Once my chilling requirement is fully met, you can bring my pot into a cool (around 60-65°F or 15-18°C), moderately bright room. Avoid placing me in direct, hot sunlight immediately. My leaves will be pale yellow at first; this is normal. Over the course of a week, as I am exposed to light, they will green up through photosynthesis. Rotate my pot regularly so my stem grows straight and does not lean desperately towards the light source. Keep my soil consistently moist as I am now actively growing and transporting water and nutrients up my stem.
This is the month I have been storing energy for! My bud will swell and burst into color. To prolong my bloom, please keep me in a cooler spot away from direct, intense sun and drafts from heating vents. The heat will cause me to wilt rapidly. Continue to water me as needed. Enjoy my display; this is my gift to you for providing the correct conditions.
My petals will fade and drop. Please do not discard me! This is a critical phase. Cut off the spent flower head to prevent me from wasting energy on seed production. However, you must leave all the green foliage intact. These leaves are my solar panels. Water me regularly and provide bright, indirect light. This allows me to photosynthesize and send energy back down to my bulb to recharge for next year's cycle.
Once my leaves have turned completely yellow and brown, they can be gently pulled away. I have drawn all the energy back into my bulb. Stop watering me entirely. Please store my pot in a cool, dark, and dry place for my summer dormancy. I need this period of rest to reset my internal clock before the entire cycle can begin again in the autumn.
