Tulip Problems

[sandersj89]

Every year I grow a selection of tulips for cutting. They are left in the ground for a couple of years then I dig them up to break up the clumps of bulbs, these are stored over the summer and replanted the following autumn for the cycle to start over again.

The early varieties are now just about in flower and ready for picking. These are a yellow type with red stripes, similar to this:



This year though the petals of the tulip have small brown dots all over them making them no good for display. The leaves are un affected and there is no sign of slug damage.

I feed the tulips in February with fish blood and bone and again after cutting to boost them for the next year. Other than that they receive no other care.

Any ideas? I will try and post a picture later if I get a chance to go to the plot.

Thanks

Jerry

[sandersj89]

[Ceratonia]

Could it be Tulip fire (tulip botrytis)?

It is pretty common and gives brown spots on the flowers, but it would normally affect the leaves too.

[sandersj89]

Just looked it up, not great! :-( Especially as the these are right next to the rest of my tulip crop and it spreads in wet conditions which we have been having for a week or so.

Looks like I will be starting with fresh bulbs next season!

Jerry

[Dan 2]

Yes it sounds like tulip fire to me. Alan Titchmarsh actually suggest changing the tulips every year- buying fresh! Happy Growing, Dan ;-)

[dandelion]

I lost all my tulips a few years ago to tulip fire and now I can only grow them in pots.