Tulipa regelii

[JPB]

Today I discovered that the seeds had germinated . They were sown at the end of September 2011 so I did not expect it now at all.... Is this normal for this species?? We had an extremely warm Oktober... All other tulip seeds are still in rest.

Do they need to be kept outside with freezing temperatures ahead? Of should I place the pots in my (frostfree) greenhouse?

Thanks, Hans

[Janis Ruksans]

Difficult to tell. I'm sawing them in September, but first watering giving only in mid-November - at same time when I start watering bulbs of Tulipa regelii. Then they start growing around February. Early watering and sawing reduces hardiness as encourages too early growing. This species is quite hardy and I lost it only from excessive moisture. Keep fingers crossed...
Janis

[Maggi Young]

This tulip is a real beauty.... wish I had the problem of how to keep it! 

[JPB]

I checked the other Tulipa species, and some others (Central Asia Vickery/Holubec seeds) are germinating too . It must be the warm Oktober as last year they germinating after the winter, as they should..

Janis, when the freezing weather starts, I think I put them frost free (5-10C) under artificial light to get them through winter.
And yes, Maggi, T. regelii is a stunning plant! The seeds also have a very high germination % so I don't want to lose them..

Any other advise is highly apprciated!

Hans

[Janis Ruksans]

I'm covering pots with 5 cm thick glasswool sheets. It prevents from frost damage, is very light and really works, but must be protected from water. Under such cover I lost only really tender species in hard frost.
Janis

[JPB]

Janis, I do not see how you can provide light with te glass wool sheets once the seeds have germinated and simply need light or they will die..

Hans

[Janis Ruksans]

Janis, I do not see how you can provide light with te glass wool sheets once the seeds have germinated and simply need light or they will die..

Hans

At low temperatures light is less important and plants don't die - covering simulates snow cover in nature. Of course - I'm covering when temperature drops below zero C, and remove covering when temperature rises up.
Janis

[JPB]

I see your point, but you live in an country with more winter snow cover (permanent?) and lower temperatures than where I live. We have winter averages above 0C and winter temperatures can be as high as 10C occasionally.

Hans

[Janis Ruksans]

I see your point, but you live in an country with more winter snow cover (permanent?) and lower temperatures than where I live. We have winter averages above 0C and winter temperatures can be as high as 10C occasionally.

Hans

Then you don't must worry. Nights, where T. regelii grow in nature are very cold. Then your problem will be mostly winter darkness and excessive wet, inclusive air wetness.
Janis

[JPB]

Excessive wetness and humidity I can handle. I keep them moist and covered outside or I use a large ventilator when inside once the frost starts. However, it is not clear if you advise me to keep them in dark, in low light (ambient) or under additional artificial light?

Hans

[Anthony Darby]

I had this tulip but can't remember who I passed it on to?

[Maggi Young]

I had this tulip but can't remember who I passed it on to?

....not me.........

[Janis Ruksans]

Excessive wetness and humidity I can handle. I keep them moist and covered outside or I use a large ventilator when inside once the frost starts. However, it is not clear if you advise me to keep them in dark, in low light (ambient) or under additional artificial light?

Hans

You must give as much light as possible, but I'm not using artiificial light. Of course, with me seeds germinate in spring. Cold stops development, so then light isn't so important.
Janis

[Anthony Darby]

I had this tulip but can't remember who I passed it on to?

....not me.........

Must have been Mark.....? Curious?

[JPB]

Thanks Janis! I think Now I have enough guidelines to get them trough the winter properly

Hans