The tulip plant (lat. Tulipa) belongs to Liliaceae (lat. Liliaceae), is one of the most popular ornamental plants and is found in almost every garden and greenhouse.
The tulip originated from Far Asia, and acquired its name from the word "turban", because outwardly it is very similar to it.
A triumph for breeders was the creation of the black tulip. In the 17th Art. a dark purple tulip of the Harlem variety was bred, and it was highlighted in the art of that time.
The all-black tulip was created in the winter of 1986 by Danish breeder Gert Hagemann and was examined at a meeting at the Netherlands Floristry Institute. Four hundred thousand dollars and three whole centuries went into research.
Tulip - morphological features
This flower belongs to the perennials of the bulbous genus. The tulip grows in length from 15-20 to 50-95 cm.
Root: represented by adventitious roots that come from the bottom of the bulb. Before the first flowering, each bulb contains shoots (stolons) that grow either sideways or vertically downward; there is also a daughter bulb at the bottom.
Cutting: there are 3 forms, such as lateral shoot (stolon), bottom and main generative shoot. Straight, cylindrical stem 20-80 cm in height.
Leaf: has arched venation, lanceolate, green or gray-green in color. The leaves encircle the stem and are arranged alternately from each other.
A fully developed plant has 2 to 4-5 leaves that are at the bottom of the stem, while young plants have only one that develops before vegetation.
Flower: most often one, but there are other varieties that have more than 2 flowers. Yellow, red and white tulips are common tulips.
The color range of varietal (thoroughbred) tulips - lavender, purple, pink, also a mixture of two or more flowers. Depending on the variety, there are lily, goblet, star-shaped, fringed, terry forms. Size - varies from 5 to 11 cm.
Fruit: green triangular box with flat seeds.
You can learn more about the structure of the plant by looking at the photo-description of tulips.
Planting tulips in the ground and the specifics of growing
In order for the seedling to grow and turn into a beautiful flower, proper care is needed, and for this you need to familiarize yourself with some agrotechnical rules for growing this representative of Liliaceae:
- During the growing (active growth) period, tulips must be nourished at least 3 times.
- Looking at the appearance, you can understand what the plant will require: the leaves have become sluggish and narrowed, then it needs nitrogen. When blue spots appear on the edge of the leaves, it is necessary to enrich the soil with potassium and phosphorus.
- In early spring, old and diseased flowers are removed along with the bulb, and a hot solution of potassium permanganate is poured into the resulting hole.
- So that the plant will delight you with a large and lush color next year, cut off faded and sprinkled flowers to form a boll.
- Do not fertilize with manure, as it contributes to the infection of tulip bulbs with fungus and their speedy rotting.
- When cutting the stems, save two leaves for normal bulb nutrition.
- In a flower bed chosen for tulips, they should not grow until 3 years old.
Novice gardeners often ask themselves, "What is the right time to plant tulips?" It is very difficult to determine the right time.
Bulbs are usually planted in September and allowed for up to a month to take root. Those planted too late will have stunted growth during the flowering period, will produce small bulbs and their color will not be so graceful.
To know for sure that it is time to plant these wonderful flowers, dig a hole 10 cm deep and when the soil temperature becomes approximately + 10 ºC, then the time has come.
When planting bulbs in the fall, you need to discard the wounded and diseased bulbs before planting so that they do not infect healthy plants and the ground. Keep the bulbs in a 5% solution of potassium permanganate for up to half an hour.
Then plant large bulbs at a depth of 10 cm, and small ones - 6 cm, lightly press them into the ground with your fingers, sprinkle with soil and level with a rake. Sprinkle on top with leaves, hay or sawdust so that the bulbs do not freeze in winter.
Features of plant care
In early spring, when tulip sprouts begin to appear from under the ground, gardeners are faced with the task of proper tulip care.
Firstly, in order to ensure the health of the plants, it is necessary to get rid of the flowers that have not sprouted and become diseased.
Secondly, watering the bulbs frequently is one of the main requirements, but do not overfill them as the bulbs will start to rot. To preserve the moisture of the earth, it must be periodically loosened.
Thirdly, timely “feeding” of tulips is an important condition for active growth. For the first time, it is necessary to revive them in early spring, as soon as young stems begin to be seen, dry phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium (2: 2: 1) are scattered on top of the soil in accordance with 50 g per 1 m².
The second time, tulips are fed when the budding period occurs, only at the moment it is more competent to apply a solution of the above-mentioned dobrev (nitrogen - 1 part, phosphorus and potassium - 2 parts).
And the last - the third feeding, occurs when the tulips have bloomed, only for feeding I use phosphorus and potassium (1: 1), counting up to 35 g per 1 m². For better growth of additional (daughter) bulbs, zinc and boron are mixed into the solution.
Varieties of tulip varieties
Tulips are conventionally divided into IV groups and 15 classes. But the most common are the first 6 grades.
Class I (early simple tulips) include such varieties as Demeter, Golden Olga. This class is distinguished by short but persistent pedicels (20-40 cm). The shape of the flower is goblet and cupped, the color is yellow and red.
Class II (simple double tulips) - Madame Testu, Shunord. Peduncles 30 cm long, yellow and red double flowers, up to 9 cm in diameter, have a long flowering period.
III class (tulips-triumph) - Snowstar, Crater. The stems are up to 60 cm, the flowers are large, goblet-shaped, the color range is varied: from light to dark tones.
Class IV (Darwin's hybrids) includes Apeldoorn, Vivex. The sprouts reach a height of 80 cm. Flowers up to 12 cm in diameter, have an intense red tint, there are other tones of red, as well as two-colored specimens. They are not afraid of frost.
Class V (Bacchus, Georgette -tulips are simple late) strong and long (80cm) pedicels. Flowers are goblet and large in size. Large variety of colors, there are two-tone types.
VI class - Gisella, Red Shine (lilac flowers). A goblet flower, with characteristic deflected and pointed petals, multicolored color. Stem up to 50 cm.
Photo of tulips
Mid-spring, late April, is always associated with the wonderful flowering of amazingly beautiful plantations - bright and colorful tulips. Many consider Holland their homeland, however, tulips owe their origin to Iran and the Tien Shan, where they appeared many, many centuries ago. The most beautiful tulips, a small part of which you will see below, began to be cultivated much later, around the 11th century, in the countries of the Middle East, where the proud flower was considered a symbol of tranquility and peace.
In the 15th-16th centuries, tulips began to be planted in Europe. At first it was the privilege of exclusively aristocratic persons from the upper class, but gradually the fascination with unusually beautiful flowers passed to people who, by their labor, were able to reach the heights of life. The demand for tulip bulbs was so high that it exceeded supply. This became the reason for the incredible rise in prices for them. History knows the fact when a French miller gave his mill for one tulip bulb! Very often at that time, the number of tulip flower bulbs was measured by the rich dowry of the bride.
And today tulips have become the favorite and most popular flowers in the world. Tulips are now a significant part of the Netherlands' annual income, and more and more are grown commercially in Israel and China. Millions of people around the world honor this amazing flower, admiring its beauty and diversity.
Currently, breeders know more than 1800 species of tulips. As a rule, they have a bowl-shaped flower of the brightest shades and a straight green stem with elongated leaves.
The color spectrum of tulips is endlessly rich. They can be,,,, lilac,,,, purple, pink, cream and even with several shades of different colors in one bud. They are conventionally divided into 15 categories, including early and late, double and simple, parrot and triumph, lily and fringed!
The most beautiful tulips. Photo
One of the most popular and beautiful tulips is considered to be double early flowers with pinkish delicate petals, more like peonies - Angelika, Pink Miracle Christmas, Dream Double, Dior, Belisia. These are lush, slightly tousled flowers from deep pink to the lightest shades. Their stems grow quite high, up to 45 centimeters in height, and therefore are valued for their special elegance, uniqueness of flower shape and color.
Purple and lilac tulips
With their traditional conical shape, they attract the eye with unusual coloration, such as the Zurel tulip, which features a mix of beetroot and cream with a characteristic flame-like pattern. It also has a sturdy stem and beautiful foliage.
Green-flowered tulips
Lily tulips
Fringed tulips
Wild tulips
A very delicate and beautiful tulip that still grows in the wild. It can be found at an altitude of 1500-3000 meters in the Himalayan mountains. He loves the solitude of mountain peaks, combining white hills with red stripes on the outer petals.
Exquisitely beautiful tulips
In the language of flowers, a bouquet of tulips symbolizes the purity of feelings for a loved one with whom you want to share happiness, live in harmony, experiencing pleasure and pride at the same time.
If you are presented with colorful tulips, it will mean that life is beautiful in its diversity, and you deserve to be proud of you. You are sunshine and a bright ray for those who give you yellow tulips. If you are presented with red buds, be sure that they are in love with you and wish you great happiness.
Always be beautiful and tender, like flowers!
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