Tulips are one of the most popular flowers, known for their beautiful and vibrant blooms. But did you know that pennies can actually help tulips grow bigger and stronger? It may seem strange, but there’s real science behind this gardening trick.
How Do Pennies Help Tulips Grow?
Pennies are made primarily of zinc and copper. When pennies are buried near the bulbs of tulips, they leach small amounts of these metals into the soil. Zinc and copper act as micronutrients, encouraging stronger root growth and more robust blooms. The metals help the overall health and development of the tulips.
Why Use Pennies Specifically?
You may be wondering why pennies are recommended instead of just adding zinc or copper supplements to the soil. Pennies provide a slow, steady release of these micronutrients over time. Simply supplementing soil can sometimes over-fertilize and damage plants if not done carefully. With pennies, there is no danger of overdoing it. The small, gradual amounts of zinc and copper from the pennies are the perfect boost for tulips.
How Many Pennies to Use
For best results, aim to bury about 5-10 pennies around each tulip bulb, spaced evenly apart. Make sure the pennies are buried at the same depth as the bulb, about 4-8 inches underground. Burying too many pennies close together can overload the soil. Spacing them out ensures the zinc and copper is evenly distributed.
The Science Behind Using Pennies for Plants
The use of pennies around bulbs and seeds is backed by scientific research. Studies have shown both zinc and copper play important roles in plant growth and health.
The Role of Zinc
Zinc is crucial for many processes in plants. It helps activate important enzymes and is a structural component in proteins. Zinc plays a part in regulating overall growth and flowering. It also helps plants synthesize chlorophyll and is involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Boosting zinc can increase root growth and make plants more hardy.
The Role of Copper
Copper also provides key benefits to plants. It aids in lignin synthesis, which strengthens cell walls. Copper helps plants utilize proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. It also plays a role in photosynthesis, respiration and other important processes. Copper encourages stronger stems, leaves and blooms.
Micronutrients for Optimal Growth
Both zinc and copper serve as vital micronutrients or trace minerals that, while only needed in tiny amounts, enable plants to thrive. Pennies buried near bulbs provide a slow-release source of these micronutrients over time for better growth.
The Benefits of Using Pennies for Tulips
Let’s take a closer look at some of the specific benefits tulips can gain from being planted with pennies.
Bigger Blooms
One of the main benefits is larger, fuller blooms. The zinc and copper from pennies enhance the overall growth and flowering of tulips. They nurture the bulbs to produce stronger stems and leaves to support bigger blooms.
richer Colors
The micronutrients can also intensify the colors of tulip blooms. The added zinc and copper leads to more vivid petal pigmentation. So your tulips are likely to showcase richer, brighter hues.
Stronger Roots & Stems
Pennies buried near bulbs also promote thicker, healthier roots. Improved nutrient uptake allows the roots to expand more efficiently. This gives the entire plant more stability and vigor. The stems are then better able to hold up the blooms.
Increased Blooming Period
Some gardeners find tulips planted with pennies stay in bloom longer than usual. The steady nutrient supply enables the tulips to keep producing flowers for an extended period.
Enhanced Growth Year After Year
The micronutrients from pennies get stored in the bulb to nourish it year after year. So you often get improved growth, season after season, from the same bulb when planted with pennies.
Choosing the Right Pennies
For the best results, you’ll want to use pennies minted before 1982. Here’s why:
Pennies Minted Pre-1982
Pennies made before 1982 were minted mostly from 95% copper. This higher copper content makes these pennies ideal for adding to soil around bulbs. The more copper available, the better it is for nourishing plants.
Pennies Minted Post-1982
Pennies made after 1982 contain 97.5% zinc with only a 2.5% copper coating. While they will still provide some benefits, the lower copper content makes them less effective than the high-copper vintage pennies.
Identifying Older Pennies
To find pennies minted pre-1982, look at the date on each coin. You can also look for the mostly copper-red color of vintage pennies compared to the silver color of newer ones.
Step-By-Step Guide to Planting Tulips with Pennies
Planting tulip bulbs with pennies is easy to do. Follow these simple steps for success:
Choose Your Location
Select a sunny, well-draining spot to plant your tulip bulbs. Tulips need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily and moist, but not soggy soil.
Prepare the Soil
Mix compost or other organic matter into the soil to enrich it. Tulips thrive in nutrient-rich soil.
Dig Holes
Dig holes 4-8 inches deep and spaced about 6 inches apart. The depth should be 2-3 times the height of the bulb.
Place the Bulbs
Gently place a single bulb in each hole, pointed end up. Arrange multiple bulbs in informal groups for a natural look.
Add Pennies
Put 5-10 vintage pre-1982 pennies in each hole, spacing them evenly around the bulb.
Fill the Holes
Fill in the holes with soil, covering the bulbs and pennies completely.
Water Well
Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil. Continue watering when needed to keep soil moist.
Enjoy the Blooms!
Your pennies will help nourish the bulbs underground as they grow. In spring, you’ll be rewarded with a vibrant display of colorful tulips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why not just use zinc and copper supplements?
Pennies provide a gentle, slow-release source of these micronutrients over time. Too much zinc and copper all at once from supplements can build up in the soil and damage plants.
Will this work for other bulbs besides tulips?
Yes, planting pennies around bulbs of flowers like daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses and irises can also boost their growth.
Does it matter where the pennies are placed?
Bury the pennies 2-3 inches below the bulb all around it for optimal nourishment of the roots as they grow downwards.
Should I use pennies every year?
Most experts recommend only using pennies once when first planting the bulbs. The nutrients get stored in the bulb for sustained benefits.
How long will the pennies provide nutrients?
The zinc and copper released from the pennies can nourish bulbs for several years. Replant them with fresh pennies every 3-5 years.
The Bottom Line
Burying pennies alongside bulbs when planting provides tulips and other flowers with important micronutrients like zinc and copper needed for optimal growth and flowering. Vintage pre-1982 pennies with higher copper content work best. This simple, affordable gardening trick can help your tulips yield thicker stems, larger blooms, richer colors and longer flowering.
So the next time you’re planting tulip bulbs, grab some old pennies and bury them alongside for beautiful results! The pennies and blooms will both shine.