Thanks to the PP's for the info.
(OP here.)
Guess I'll just pull up those green non-blooms and be done with them.

Depends on the variety. We have tulips that are going strong after a decade, but that's the exception. Most are two seasons at best in this area. Maybe if you move to Holland . . .

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Three years also is pushing it for good repeated blooms in the dc area for most Tulip species.

rubbish, I have tulips that have boomed for 15 years here in AU Park.

Not rubbish. And note I said "most." Your single experience with the type of bulbs you used aren't representative of all tulip types for all gardeners in the area.

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/tulips/tulips-bloom-every-year.htm

bone meal now and again in the fall. Also you can place crushed egg-shells and work into the soil

It depends on the type of tulips. Some of the really fancy ones grow almost as annuals.
We have some yellow tulips that came with the house. They have come up and flowered reliably each of the ten years we've been here. I don't do anything to them, no fertilizer, nothing.

We planted bulbs. They came up one year totally lovely. The next year, just 2-3 blooms out of 2 dozen bulbs. Next year, just some of the leaves. I was told that tulip bulbs here need to be removed.

Everything else grew in yard just fine.
I moved on from tulips.

Anonymous wrote:Three years also is pushing it for good repeated blooms in the dc area for most Tulip species.

rubbish, I have tulips that have boomed for 15 years here in AU Park.

Scratch in some bonemeal beneath the surface of the soil next fall. It's too late to fix it for this years bloom. PP is right--be careful that they are in a well drained area and don't over water or give any nitrogen. (manure)

Three years also is pushing it for good repeated blooms in the dc area for most Tulip species.

Your soil may need more phosphorus or be excessive in nitrogen, meaning the bulk of nutrients are going to making things "green".

Tulips also like dry feet and LOTS of sun.

Also, if they weren't planted properly to start with (ie. right depth), they won't bloom.

I have thinned out several tulip bunches in my yard. (Three years in this house. I didn't plant the bulbs.)

And yet, most do not bloom. The green parts come up, just no flowers.

Any ideas?