Planting Tulips now or later

Ive bought some Orange Tulips and potted them up and put them somewhere safe. A friend said "oh no thats too early"

MMM im at a loss now as what to do now. Im not going to dig them out. Is the concern the temperature and if so what and why should i be thinking about with regards to Tulips. Other bulbs like Crocus i have also potted up with no wrong doing - i believe.

All the advice is you can plant all spring flowering bulbs from now except tulips but can't remember why-they are best planted from November onwards-that bit I do know

There is a reason -someone will illuminate

I thought that the only reason not to plant too early was to avoid the virus tulip fire but other than that I cannot see a problem

http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/problems/flowers/tulip-fire/453.html

I've read that daffs, crocus etc like to set their roots down earlier than tulips but don't know why either but I do remember planting tulips end of September when I knew next to nothing and getting a fine show from them.

Last year I found a carrier bag of tulip bulbs complete with compost that I'ld left outside by mistake . Planted them up and they flowered  well this year.

Think you can plant the early ones now , Kaufmann ???

Jean I would happily plant tulips now, just keep an eye out for any viruses.

Kate is confirmed as right -it is to do with viruses and at what temperature they operate-so planting later when it is colder and the viruses less active is the reason

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningadvice/6388642/How-to-plant-tulip-bulbs.html

Strangely enough MD mentioned planting tulips late in last week's GW but did not give a reason

Indeed daffs now and tulips very much later - the reason is that early planted bulbs get tulip virus which kills the plant and spoils the flowers.  Now they are in thery are best left alon,e but keep any others you have until well into November/December, I have even planted them in January and got spring flowers.  Daffs need the longer time to develop good roots. 

I will let you know next spring if my Tulips bloom or not.

Thanks for all your advice.

I live in Northern Ireland and always plant both my Tulips, Crocus and Daffs in September or October, I have done for years and years. Perhaps because our temperature is often a good deal lower than other parts of the UK I've never had Tulip fire or indeed any problems at all with my Tulip bulbs and flowers.

Thank you ladygardener2 - its all trial and error.

Christopher2 - wheres Christopher1 - are you the new improved version? lol

Thank - im sure they will dazzle me when they appear, and knock the birds off their perches.lol

Why do they sell them now and not in November?

After planting my orange Tulips back in October - I was concerned that i had potted them up a little too early.

Today i can proudly say that they are just the best. Im so pleased.

That's great Cia. Mine are good as well and I feared I was a bit late

It's great Cia, when things that you planted ages ago comes good

Here they are. They have orange tips and a yellow bottom to them.

Thanks everyone for your comments - so kind.

My camera dosnt do them justice - believe me they look good enough to eat.