How to Care for Your Tulip ‘Akebono’

Tulip ‘Akebono’ (Tulipa ‘Akebono’) is a stunning tulip from Japan. It has big semi-double flowers that are pale yellow with a hint of red and green outline. It’s an elegant tulip. Tulip ‘Akebono’ translates to “bright sky at daybreak.” Here is a beginner’s guide on how to care for your Tulip ‘Akebono’.   

Tulip ‘Akebono’ Basics

Tulip ‘Akebono’: Size

Tulipa ‘Akebono’ grows to 18-20 inches tall.

Planting Your Tulip ‘Akebono’

Where to Plant Akebono (Tulipa ‘Akebono’)

Your Tulip ‘Akebono’ are happiest in full sun locations. They need to be planted in sunny locations otherwise your Tulip “Akebono” will not flower. Tulip ‘Akebono’ bloom best in a sunny location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight. Plant your Tulip ‘Akebono’ in soil with good drainage preferably with pH level of 6-6.5. 

How to Plant Tulip ‘Akebono’

1. Prepare the soil first before planting your tulip bulbs.
2. Add compost and bulb fertilizer to the soil.
3. Loosen and aerate the soil to 8 inches below the surface. 
4. Plant tulip bulbs 3x the height of your Tulip ‘Akebono’. If you have deer, rabbits and squirrels in your garden, you need to plant tulip bulbs at least 8 inches deep. If your tulip bulbs are planted too shallow, they will not flower.
Use a bulb planter tool to make planting your bulbs easier.

When is the Best Time to Plant Tulip ‘Akebono’?

The best time to plant your Tulip ‘Akebono’ is in the Fall. However, if you purchased bulbs on sale late in the season, you can still plant your Tulip ‘Akebono’. Make sure you plant your tulip bulbs before the soil freezes.

How Many Tulip ‘Akebono’ Bulbs to Plant in a Flower Bed?

You can plant 5 Tulip ‘Akebono’ bulbs per square foot. Use the Bulb Planting calculator below to calculate how many bulbs you need for your garden.

How to Choose Healthy Tulip ‘Akebono’ to Plant?

It’s important to start off with healthy tulip bulbs to ensure blooming success. Don’t waste your time and energy planting bad tulip bulbs. How to tell when tulip bulbs are bad? Bad tulip bulbs will float in water while healthy bulbs will sink. Also, make sure to inspect your tulip bulb, the papery outer covering should be intact.

Care for Your Tulip ‘Akebono’

Do You Need to Water Your Tulip ‘Akebono’ every day?

Water your Tulip ‘Akebono’ a few times a week in the Spring when it is growing. When you water your Tulip ‘Akebono’, avoid watering from the top, don’t wet the petals, since it will cause the petals to burn and spot.
Stop watering your Tulip ‘Akebono’ in the summer when your Tulip ‘Akebono’ are dormant. Tulip ‘Akebono’ need dry conditions during dormancy. The amount of water it receives from regular rainwater is sufficient during the summer months.

What to Do with Your Tulip ‘Akebono’ After They Bloom?

You need to deadhead your Tulip ‘Akebono’ after it blooms. Deadhead your Tulip ‘Akebono’ by cutting off the top 3 inches of the flower stem. Make sure you cut below the seed capsule. Don’t cut the yellowing leaves though. Leave the foliage for at least 6 more weeks, until it turns brown and withers completely.
The reason why you don’t cut off Tulip ‘Akebono”‘ leaves is that it is still continuing to absorb moisture and sunlight to feed the bulb. You need the bulb fed so it will bloom nicely the following year.
If there are bulbs that failed to bloom or did not bloom nicely, you can remove these and plant fresh bulbs in the Fall.

How Often Should You Fertilize Your Tulip ‘Akebono’?

You should fertilize your Tulip ‘Akebono’ in the early Spring when the shoots emerge. Fertilize again in the Fall before the first snowfall.  For newly planted Tulip ‘Akebono’, fertilize at planting and then again in the early Spring.

What Fertilizer Should You Use on Your Tulip ‘Akebono’?

Use a fertilizer formulated specifically for bulbs. You can also use bonemeal on your Tulip ‘Akebono’.

Tulip ‘Akebono’: Cut Flower Tips

When to Harvest Your Tulip ‘Akebono’ for Cut Flowers?

The best time to cut your tulip flowers is in the morning. You can cut your Tulip ‘Akebono’ when the buds are green and let them bloom in the vase or you can cut your Tulip ‘Akebono’ when it’s in full bloom.

Troubleshooting Your Tulip ‘Akebono’

Are Tulip ‘Akebono’ Deer Resistant?

Deer and squirrels love to munch on tulip bulbs. One way to prevent deer and squirrels from destroying your Tulip ‘Akebono’ is by planting tulip bulbs near Daffodils. Deer and squirrels dislike daffodils. Planting your Tulip ‘Akebono’ near daffodils will discourage them from munching on your Tulip ‘Akebono’. You can also try sprinkling bone meal around the bulb plantings. Another deer and squirrel deterrent is to lay a sheet of chicken wire (1-inch opening) over the bulbs. This will prevent squirrels and deer from getting to your tulip bulbs. 

What are the common problems of Tulip ‘Akebono’?

Common problems for your Tulip ‘Akebono’ are blight, virus, and aphids. If you see streaks on the foliage, sickly stems, or spots on the leaves and flowers, then your Tulip ‘Akebono’ might have blight or virus. Simply remove the infected Tulip ‘Akebono’. If you see tiny aphids on your Tulip ‘Akebono’, spray Tulip ‘Akebono’ with water to remove the aphids.

Preparing Your Tulip ‘Akebono’ for Winter

How Should You Prepare Your Tulip ‘Akebono’ for Winter?

After your Tulip ‘Akebono’ have finished blooming, make sure you deadhead your Tulip ‘Akebono’. Wait until the foliage has wilted and browned before cutting it off. In the summer, hand weed around your Tulip ‘Akebono’. In the fall, mulch around your Tulip ‘Akebono’. Feed your Tulip ‘Akebono’ with bulb fertilizer and bone meal in the Fall.

You May Also Be Interested In Other Tulip Related Articles:

Beginner’s Guide to Tulips (Lots of Tulip Photos for Identification)

Why are Your Tulips Not Flowering?

When Can You Move Your Tulip Bulbs?

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