How do I plant a tulip bulb that has already sprouted a shoot/bud?

Question

I just purchased tulip bulbs from the store and they already had something poking out of the top of the dirt (I assume this is called a shoot or bud?). I read that you plant bulbs with the bottom of the bulb 3 inches from the top of the soil. Am I supposed to follow this rule even though my bulb has already sprouted shoots? Will I just bury the whole thing under the dirt even though that's not how it was planted in the store container when I bought it? I'm planting in doors if that makes a difference in potting.

ANGEL · Accepted Answer

Most people don't transplant bulbs that are actively growing, especially if they have been in a pot for a long time & have formed large shoots (and large roots) already.  They will then wait until the plant has gone through it's growth cycle before transplanting.

If the bulb hasn't been in the ground too long & is just starting to form shoots, it's possible to carefully transplant the bulbs.

Since it is already in dirt in your pot, just plant the bulb ...along with the dirt...at the same level it was in the pot. I would water the plant thoroughly the day before taking it out of the pot, so that the soil will cling to the roots that are already starting to form. You really should try to not disturb the roots once they are actively growing. Also try to get as much soil clinging to the roots as you possibly can.

Don't  bury  the shoots that are already above ground level.
And be careful... because the shoots can easily break off from too much handling.

Good luck!!!   Hope this is helpful.

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How do I plant a tulip bulb that has already sprouted a shoot/bud?

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