BEWARE THE DREADED TULIP FIRE!!! #springgarden #tulips

One of the most common and devastating diseases affecting tulips is Tulip Fire, caused by the fungus Botrytis tulipae. The symptoms of tulip fire are vast and easy to spot. The newly emerging leaves may be distorted or twisted and wither. If leaves survive emergence, they may have brown lesions that under wet environmental conditions enlarge to large blighted scorched areas, hence the common name “Tulip Fire.” Often, small oval spots will appear on flower petals. During wet weather damaged leaves, stems, and flowers will become covered with a fuzzy, grey mycelial mat. Eventually, small black sclerotia form on the dead tissue. These are the survival stage of the fungus and can persist for long periods in the soil and on surrounding debris.

Tulip Fire thrives in moist conditions, making it particularly problematic in regions with high humidity or frequent rainfall. The fungus can spread rapidly through splashing water, contaminated soil, or infected plant debris. Gardeners can reduce the risk of Tulip Fire by planting healthy tulip bulbs in well-drained soil, providing adequate air circulation, and avoiding overhead watering. If Tulip Fire is discovered the bulbs and plants must be discarded (not composted) and no tulips should be planted in the infected soil for at least 3 years.

[kathleenvadney]

I’m so glad that you’ve done this short video. Very concise, great pictures and straightforward best horticultural practices. Job well done.

[marymurphy]

Good to know! thanks Danielle. You always have great information to share with us! 😍

[lovetogarden]

Hi Danielle. How many seasons have you grown tulips in that same bed? I'm wondering also, if I invest in varieties that are "perennial tulips", will I have the same issue growing those? I've never been able to find concise answers. Please let me know and thank you!

[maureenmckenna]

Wish I could grow tulips. The colors and variety are awesome. My deer and rabbits love them too, and even eat them out of pots. And, then, there are always the voles….Ahh, nature.

[nikkichevere]

Is there any way to treat the soil I have several areas on my property that have it unfortunately

[celiavasquez]

Thanks for this info. What would we do with our you, blessings to you and family.

[TheKaykiwi]

Ahhhh, you just answered a "burning" question of mine. I have a tulip that's never bloomed, and always gets brown and dies back as you've described. Any chance it's anything else?

[nicolethijs]

I had this this year within two large containers of tulips. My other containers did well. I wonder if one of the bags of bulbs was infected.

[jcking]

I have this awful scourge! I tried to pull out the bulbs but most of them are still in the ground. 😕 I can’t dig them up without disturbing my perennials.