Can you reuse hydroponic grown flower bulbs? Yes, 1 technique is to plant them in the garden once they are done blooming. This way the bulbs go back to their natural cycle. However Tulips and Daffodils their natural cycle requires a winter, they perform best in areas with cold winters (USA growing zones 3-7).
In winter and early spring months many people buy or are given hydroponic tulips and daffodils. Once the blooms are done the the foliage will naturally die back, this is the moment the 'energy' goes back to the bulbs to make new bulbs for next year. Plant the tulips outdoors any time in spring, beginning when the soil is workable. If the leaves are still green, wait until they turn a bit brown, it is ok to plant the bulbs with foliage still remaining, the foliage will continue to die back naturally.
- tulips like full sun, choose a sunny location in your garden
- plant the bulbs 5-8 inches deep, after planting, a one time good watering would help to get the soil well compacted around the bulbs.
- removing spent flowers allows the plant to put even more energy into the bulb, rather than seed production.
- add fertilizer to your planting if you want them to come back bigger and better.
- it might take 2 years before they come back fully, the first year the blooms might be smaller.
- there are many different varieties of tulips and daffodilis, not all of them come back as well as others.