Winter: 2026
Tulip Sprouting, Nendo Dango Lessons, and Garden Updates
Welcome back to the blog! Today I want to give
you an update on how things are progressing in
the garden—from exciting new sprouts to valuable
gardening lessons.
-
Growing Tulips: Step-by-Step
from Bulb to Bloom
The main star today is this
tulip plant that has finally
sprouted! I acquired these bulbs a
while ago (they reminded me quite a
bit of tuberose/nardo bulbs in shape
and feel) and decided to give them a
go.
Here is the step-by-step process I
followed and what comes next:
- Substrate Mix:
I prepared a balanced mix using
organic substrate (compost) for
nutrients and inorganic materials
(like perlite or coarse sand) to
ensure excellent drainage and
prevent bulb rot.
-
Planting Direction:
I buried the bulb with the
pointed tip facing upwards,
which is where the stem and
leaves emerge.
- The Waiting Period:
It took
over two months to finally see
green above the soil. Beneath
the surface, the bulb was busy
establishing a healthy root
system.
- Direct Sunlight
As soon as
the sprout emerged, I moved the
pot to a location with direct
sunlight. This is crucial for
energy absorption and healthy
foliage growth.
-
Next Steps to
Bloom:
Consistent Riego/Watering: Keep
the soil lightly moist, never
waterlogged.
Leaf & Stem Growth: The central
stem will stretch while the
leaves unfold completely.
Bud Formation: A green floral
bud will form right in the
center.
Flowering: The tulip will open
up into full bloom, giving us a
beautiful display!
-
Nendo Dango
Experiments &
Lessons
Learned
Two nights ago we had a
heavy rainstorm, and I
was really hoping it
would jumpstart the
germination of my nendo
dango seed balls (which
even included calendula
seeds). Unfortunately,
nothing has sprouted
yet.
Reflecting on the
process, I realized
where I went wrong: I
skipped the step of
properly mixing the
seeds with clay and
letting the balls dry
completely before
planting. The clay shell
is essential to protect
the seed until moisture
conditions are just
right. I definitely need
to refine my technique
for the next batch!
- Rose Bushes are Thriving!
On a brighter note, the rose bushes I have under the bell/cloche are bursting with new growth! They look incredibly healthy and full of life. I’ve already taken a bunch of photos and will be sharing them on the blog very soon.
Visor de imágenes interactivo:
Tulipan
🌱 How much did you learn today? 🌱
1. How should the tulip bulb be positioned when planting?
2. What step was missing in the Nendo Dango experiment?
3. Which plants in the garden are bursting with fresh leaves under the cloche?
Best regards and happy growing.!
Thank you so much for stopping by! Sending you all warm regards, and see you in a bit!
- Growing Tulips: Step-by-Step from Bulb to Bloom
- Substrate Mix:
The main star today is this tulip plant that has finally sprouted! I acquired these bulbs a while ago (they reminded me quite a bit of tuberose/nardo bulbs in shape and feel) and decided to give them a go. Here is the step-by-step process I followed and what comes next:
I prepared a balanced mix using organic substrate (compost) for nutrients and inorganic materials (like perlite or coarse sand) to ensure excellent drainage and prevent bulb rot.
- Planting Direction:
- The Waiting Period:
- Direct Sunlight
- Next Steps to Bloom:
I buried the bulb with the pointed tip facing upwards, which is where the stem and leaves emerge.
It took over two months to finally see green above the soil. Beneath the surface, the bulb was busy establishing a healthy root system.
As soon as the sprout emerged, I moved the pot to a location with direct sunlight. This is crucial for energy absorption and healthy foliage growth.
Consistent Riego/Watering: Keep the soil lightly moist, never waterlogged. Leaf & Stem Growth: The central stem will stretch while the leaves unfold completely. Bud Formation: A green floral bud will form right in the center. Flowering: The tulip will open up into full bloom, giving us a beautiful display!
- Nendo Dango Experiments & Lessons Learned
- Rose Bushes are Thriving!
Two nights ago we had a
heavy rainstorm, and I
was really hoping it
would jumpstart the
germination of my nendo
dango seed balls (which
even included calendula
seeds). Unfortunately,
nothing has sprouted
yet.
Reflecting on the
process, I realized
where I went wrong: I
skipped the step of
properly mixing the
seeds with clay and
letting the balls dry
completely before
planting. The clay shell
is essential to protect
the seed until moisture
conditions are just
right. I definitely need
to refine my technique
for the next batch!
On a brighter note, the rose bushes I have under the bell/cloche are bursting with new growth! They look incredibly healthy and full of life. I’ve already taken a bunch of photos and will be sharing them on the blog very soon.
Visor de imágenes interactivo: Tulipan