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Mia Jenkins
Mia Jenkins is the Director of Marketing and Communications for Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, located in the Museums on the River District at 701 Amidon. Botanica was opened to the public in 1987 to generate enthusiasm for horticulture and enlighten people through educational, artistic, and cultural experiences. With this mission, Botanica’s gardens and programs expand public awareness of horticulture, educate Kansans about how nature can improve their daily lives, and assist in the promotion of community development.Feel free to contact Botanica for information on volunteering, special events or for what’s in bloom at 316-264-0448.
Flowers & Plants
2007-04-01 09:11:00
Tips on growing tulips in Kansas
Tulips say “spring” like no other flower. The vivid yellow, red, pink, purple, and orange flowers are a feast for the eyes and weary the dull browns, grays, and whites of winter. Though the ever-changing Kansas climate can be a challenge, the staff of Botanica, The Wichita Gardens has some tips for you to grow beautiful tulips in your own landscape. SELECT THE RIGHT BULBS: • Buy 12+ centimeter bulbs. The bigger the bulb you plant, the bigger the bloom will be. • Species type tulip bulbs perennialize better than other varieties of bulbs, but they have an early bloom season. In contrast, Hybrid type tulip bulbs are bred for bigger flowers, but have a shorter life span and are available in early, mid and late bloom seasons. • Extend your tulip bloom season by selecting early, mid and late season bulbs. PLANT BULBS PROPERLY: • Plant bulbs out of the wind. High wind and warm temperatures are the worst conditions for tulips because they age the flower. • If you are planting tulips as perennials, plant them at least eight inches deep so that the bulb does not divide, resulting in larger flowers year after year. • Planting tulips in mass makes a larger visual effect in the garden. When planting in mass, pair hot colors (reds, yellows, oranges) together or pastel colors (pinks and purples) together for increased impact. MAINTAIN YOUR BULBS: • Treat the ground with a balanced fertilizer at planting time to feed this year’s blooms and after the flower falls off to help the plant set next year’s bloom. • After the bloom season, break the seed head off of the stem, but do not remove the leaves and stem until they turn brown and collapse. The leaves and stem supply nutrients back into the bulb to help produce next year’s flower bud. Removing these too early will deplete the flower size the following year. • Watch for pests such as gophers, squirrels and raccoons. If they bother your bulbs too much they may have to be trapped or removed from your garden. Although this is a bit commercial, since we are a non-profit organization, the good people at The Q & A Times let us get by with it. If you want to select bulb varieties to plant this fall, see different color and plant combinations or just admire Kansas’ largest tulip display, visit Botanica this April. Throughout the month, more than 43,000 tulips in more than 80 varieties will be in full bloom for inspiration and for your viewing pleasure. You can tiptoe through the tulips from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Regular admission is $12 for a family, $6 for adults, $5 for seniors (62+), and $3 for youth (5-21). Children 5 and under are admitted free. From our garden to yours- best of luck in all of your gardening endeavors!
 
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