How to Grow Tulips as a Cut Flower — Three Acre Farm (2024)

FAQs

How to Grow Tulips as a Cut Flower — Three Acre Farm? ›

To achieve the proper density you'll need to plant 150,000 – 200,000 bulbs/acre, at a cost of $150 – $500 per 1,000 bulbs (which equates to $15,000 – $30,000/acre for just bulbs – not labor and not shipping).

To achieve the proper density you'll need to plant 150,000 – 200,000 bulbs/acre, at a cost of $150 – $500 per 1,000 bulbs (which equates to $15,000 – $30,000/acre for just bulbs – not labor and not shipping).

Tulips can be planted quite densely in pots, similar to eggs in a carton. To grow tulips solely for cutting, plant them in a wide trench. For the trench method, dig out a trench that is 3 ft (1 m) wide and 6 in (15 cm) deep, piling all the dirt to one side.

You absolutely can profit off tulips — but in order to do so, you better have a good planting system, experience no loss to voles/squirrels nor tulip fire, and sell every single stem (and LOTS of stems) at a premium price. The growers who profit off tulips are growing into the 10,000's of tulips every year.

For the best results you need to plant your tulip bulbs in autumn. This is due to the soil needing to have cooled off from the summer season before you plant. Ideally you should plant your tulip bulbs in October or November. However if you are in a warm climate it is best to plant them in December.

She further clarifies that the amount is in sales, and realistically, an “established business that grows flowers for profit will net 50 percent to 60 percent of its gross or about $15,000 an acre.” Lynn's estimation has become the number many flower farmers have grasped for over two decades.

Tulips will need a full year's growth in order to start multiplying and spreading. This means that the initial process will begin after their first bloom in spring. When this process begins baby bulbs will sprout from the main tulip root. This usually creates 2 to 5 more bulbs each cycle.

Temperature is the most-important factor in tulip growth and flowering. This annual cycle is defined as warm-cool-warm. When tulip bulbs are planted in the fall, the optimum temperature range of 63 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit allows for root growth and below-ground shoot development.

The flowers open over the course of a few days, letting you enjoy their sweet buds and gorgeous, bright blooms. If you're growing your own tulips, cut the flowers before they're fully opened and as close to the ground as possible.

The primary goal of these tulip fields isn't to sell the flowers; it's to cultivate new bulbs. The flowers you see in the fields are allowed to bloom only to ensure the health and maturity of the bulbs they produce. Once the tulips are fully grown, the flowers are cut off.

Which flower farming is most profitable? ›

Tulips need a "cold period"

Most tulips need at least 12-14 weeks of “cold period” to develop a beautiful flower. This makes it hard to grow tulips in warm/tropical climates, but not impossible. The cold period is normally given by nature when the soil temperature drops below 55 degrees.

But for Dutch tulip growers, topping tulips makes sense – by removing the “flowers” from the plants, more energy is directed into the bulb. That means healthier bulbs for transporting and selling around the world.

While you do not need to dig and divide your tulips every year; they should be dug up at least 3-4 years if planted in the ground. If you are not digging them up yearly, make sure they are not in an area of the yard where they will be watered all summer. Too much water over the summer will rot/kill your bulbs.

Tulips require full sun for the best display, which means at least 6 hours of bright, direct sunlight per day. They also prefer fast-draining soil and, consequently, make excellent additions to rock gardens.

To keep cut tulips fresh and vigorous, be sure to keep the water in the vase “topped off” with fresh cold water every day or two. Flowers kept in a cool location in a room will also last much longer. Change the water completely every couple of days to prolong your flower's life.

In this article, we'll discuss a technique that allows you to plant 100 bulbs or more in about 30 minutes.

Big Numbers

“California, the next largest producer, is down 5% from the prior year to $967 million in wholesale value. The two states account for 44 % of the total value.” “For 2020, five top states: Florida, California, Michigan, New Jersey, and Ohio accounted for $3.13 billion or 65% of the total value.”

Garden designers know that tulips look best when they are planted in groups of 50 or more bulbs. Plan on 9 to 12 bulbs per square foot. For a full look, put 2" to 3" of space between the bulbs. Using a 4" spacing will stretch the bulbs, but not look quite as full.

During a cool spring, with temperatures between 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit, tulips will bloom for 1-2 weeks but if the weather is warmer, each bloom will last for just a few days.