Tulips are highly coveted and elegant flowers that, thanks to their great variety of colors, sizes and shapes, become too showy and striking. There are around 5000 species that are born in the wild and many are currently cultivated with certain controls. We invite you to discover everything related to this beautiful flower, continue reading you will be surprised.
The tulips
Tulips are the only species with 6 petals, they are considered one of the most popular and beautiful flowers in the world, their main attribute being ornamentation, not only because of the variety of colors, but also because of their different shapes and sizes. Likewise, medicinal and cosmetic properties are attributed to it, which makes them have great commercial value. Tulips have a variety of popular names such as: Ibisco, Pacífico, Flor del beso, Capuchina, Gumamela, Rosa de China, Cayena, Cardenal, Cucarda and Jaramillo.
Features
Tulips, scientifically known as Tulipa spp, belong to the Liliaceae family, that is, they belong to the type of perennial herbaceous, with basal truncated bulbous characteristics, since it stores nutrients in its underground structure. They can reach a height of 60 centimeters and their stem is usually simple. As for the leaves, it has large, sparse, lanceolate and semi-flattened caulinar foliage, in an olive green tone.
Its flowers can be of various colors or combinations, it has a significant size, with a perigonium that has six petals, which are usually closed in an acuminate manner. Its fruit is presented in the form of a capsule in which several seeds are housed.
Origin and Habitat
Tulips are flowers that come from Turkey - Middle East, but can also be found in Europe, Southwest Asia and North Africa. The Netherlands, in particular, has become one of the countries with the highest production of this coveted flower. The word tulip comes from the Turkish tülbend, which refers to the turban.
History
Recent studies determined that the Tulips are native to the mountains of Kazakhstan, Iran and Afghanistan and not, as had been argued, that they came from Turkey and over time they reached Europe and then Asia. The cultivation of this beautiful flower for ornamental purposes began in the eleventh century when it began to be used to improve the appearance of the entrance of the house and its interior, gardens and others, reaching the point of being reflected in paintings and other pieces of art of great importance, it was also taken as symbols of the Netherlands, Iran and Turkey.
In view of this success, merchants take it to other latitudes in order to profit economically. In 1593, it was introduced to the Netherlands by a botanical scientist, awakening the tulip mania, raising its price notably, for which it was cataloged as an aristocratic flower. Currently it is one of the most used not only as a decorative piece but also as part of research for its medicinal properties and to improve existing species.
PREMIUM QUALITY
This beautiful flower has a variety of shapes, sizes and colors that can be used not only outdoors and indoors, but also as cordate flowers that are part of decorations. For these reasons it is important to know the characteristics of the different types of Tulips and here we present a quick guide.
Early Simple Tulips
These tend to bloom in late March and early April. They reach a height of approximately 40 centimeters. They are considered resistant because their simple petals are capable of adapting to sudden changes in temperature and strong winds.
Early Double Tulips
These flowers, like the simple ones, bloom very early. They are supported by a strong stem that can measure up to 30 centimeters and is very strong. Its flower fully opens in sunlight. Like the previous one, it is a highly resistant plant to the ravages of time.
Double Late Tulips
This species is characterized by presenting a double flowering between the months of April to May. Their stems are tough and this makes them ideal for looking like cut flowers in a vase. They can grow up to 55 centimeters tall.
Triumph tulips
These flowers are long, their stems can measure up to 50 centimeters, they are rigid and upright. It is considered one of the most resistant species to extreme climate changes. They are often used as cut flowers to decorate spaces.
Darwin Hybrid Tulips
This flower has a cup shape, it blooms in the months of April to May. This species is the most used to make vessels for brides and other decorations of great importance. They can reach a height of up to 50 cm.
Single Late Tulips
Unlike the simple and double ones, this Tulip blooms late, that is, at the end of April or May. Its stems are elongated and rigid, which makes them ideal to look like a cut flower.
Lily-Flowering Tulips
This species features a flower with pointed petals slightly bent outwards, which makes it look very delicate and elegant. It can reach 50 centimeters. It is commonly used as part of the setting as a cut flower.
Parrot tulips
This Tulip is considered a little more delicate than the rest, it does not tolerate strong winds so it must be planted in protected areas. Its flowering occurs in the months of April or May. It can reach a height of 60 centimeters. As for the flower, it has its apices similar to parrots, hence its name. It is presented with a serrated margin and with curves that go in different directions, these characteristics give it a very special appearance when it comes to displaying them.
Fringed tulips
This species presents a truly beautiful bloom, its petals with serrated margins are a real sight to behold. For this reason it is used for floral arrangements, decorations or as a simple cordata flower. Their average height is 30 to 50 centimeters.
Tulips Viridifolia
It is a kind of tulip with late flowering. Its flowers have the characteristic of cupped petals, with a beautiful greenish color. It can reach a height of 55 centimeters with a resistant stem. Ideal to show off as a cut flower in vases.
Multifloral tulips
This type of Tulkipán presents inflorescence in the form of bouquets, that is, with several flowers at the end of each stem, which sprout late.
Foserian tulips
In the case of the Foseriana, their stems are very short, unlike the rest, which makes them ideal for showing off in pots. It blooms between March and April.
Tulip Greigii
This beautiful flower presents its striped petals of varied colors, making it an ideal piece to show off on plateaus or as a cut flower. Its strong and rigid stems reach an average of 40 centimeters in height.
How to Plant the Tulip
In this article we present a step by step on how to plant tulips, so you can show off a luxurious garden or interior space. First of all, you must take into account the time for planting, which is ideal to do in the middle of autumn, this is because the bulb of the plant does not resist frost and you can run the risk of it dying; also that flowering should be in spring. That said, you have to select the bulbs to plant and depending on the species, it can generate up to four shoots.
It is not recommended that the bulbs be out of the ground for a long time, so you must plant it quickly. To know if the bulb is in good condition, you just have to touch it, its consistency must be firm and covered with a thin skin that resembles that of an onion.
Having chosen the place for planting, open a hole that is approximately 20 cm deep (depending on the size of the bulb) for each one you want to plant, leaving about 5 cm of distance between them. Finish filling, realizing that the soil does not contain roots of other plants, or stones, in addition to being light and airy. Place the bulb with the widest part touching the bottom and pointing up.
Proceed to water, without flooding and wetting the bulb, it can rot, so it is recommended to do it around it with a watering can is ideal, not to use a hose. To water again you must wait for the shoots to appear, unless the soil is excessively dry.
When planting in a pot, certain aspects must be taken into account: Being a plant native to temperate zones, it is advisable that the bulbs be exposed to controlled cold, for example placing them in the refrigerator for a few days. The pot that is intended to be used must have a depth of at least 40 cm and a diameter of 20 and 25 to place a maximum of five bulbs.
This pot must have holes that facilitate drainage, since it must be remembered that the bulb enters a lot of humidity and tends to rot or create the perfect environment for the proliferation of fungi that end up notably affecting the plant. Having clear these small details, the bulbs are planted, for this, some stones are placed at the bottom to facilitate drainage, then a porous substrate is placed, so that it can drain completely and at the same time maintain humidity. .
This substrate can be prepared with perlite, to facilitate drainage and aeration. One part is filled, and the bulb is placed with the widest part attached to the ground in a straight upwards direction, the separation between bulbs must be 2 cm so that flowering is not weak. When they are all in position, finish covering with the prepared substrate so that the bulbs remain at least 5 cm buried, water moderately, always being careful not to wet the bulb and wait for it to bloom.
Care
So that our Tulips can be kept in optimal conditions and give us a good flowering, it is necessary to give them certain care such as:
Lighting: In case of having the Tulips inside, it is recommended that it be near a window or balcony, in this way it will receive a good light. These are plants that need enough sunlight but not directly. There are cases that can develop normally in semi shade, but not in full shade.
Irrigation: Tulips do not tolerate waterlogging, their bulb is delicate in this sense, so it is suggested to water two or three times a week depending on the ambient temperature. In the case of being planted outside, its irrigation will be determined by the amount of rain.
Pruning: The duration of the flowering will be determined by the species of Tulip, but independently at some point the flower withers and the stem and leaves begin to turn yellowish, when reaching this totality there are two suggestions, one is to dig up the bulb to place it in a dry and cool place to be planted next fall or kept in the pot, change the soil to keep the bulb well nourished, place it in a place where the cold does its best work.
Fertilizer: for the Tulips to give their best, sprinkle them with fertilizers for flowers, in the case of being in the garden the rain will do the rest of the work if it is in a pot a little watering will suffice.
These small but valuable cares will keep your Tulips always healthy and beautiful.
Diseases and Pests
Like any plant, they will always be prone to contracting certain viruses, fungi or bacteria, as well as pest attacks, here we present the most common ones and how to combat them.
Pests: Aphids are one of the pests that most frequently attacks Tulips, they are homopterous insects that suck the sap of the plant, normally located in the buds, deforming them and weakening them. In addition to this, viruses can be transmitted through their bites, which end up destroying the plant. For this reason, preventive treatments with insecticides are recommended. In the case of stem and bulb nematodes, it causes swelling of the leaves, buds and stem necrosis.
These tiny worms attack plants from the ground. To counteract it, it is recommended to immerse the bulb in hot water for a prudent time and then apply steam, this pest is destroyed by heat. Snails and slugs, unlike the previous ones, are easy to identify, so you must be very aware of the traces of slime, which must consume large amounts of water to produce it, so they are more frequent in periods of rain. . They tend to scrape the epidermis of the leaves, leading to perforations and irregular margins.
To avoid these attacks, natural strategies can be used such as the presence of their top predators, toads, frogs, lizards, turtles, hedgehogs, ducks, birds, chickens and salamanders; with repellents plant rosemary or lavender around the plants to scare them away thanks to their strong smell or place barriers of sawdust or ashes. Another way to exterminate them is to destroy their eggs in the fall.
Diseases: Among the most common diseases of Tulips is the Tulip Fire, it is very aggressive because it affects roots, stems, leaves and flowers. It spreads through infected bulbs and is manifested by curved and deformed leaves, grayish spots can also be seen on the leaves. This disease tends to progress rapidly under conditions of high humidity and temperature. To combat it, it is recommended to spray the bulbs with Tiram, Captan or dichlofluanide two or three times between the outbreak and flowering. It is not advisable to reuse vegetable mulch.
In the case of presenting Fusariosis, which is a disease that attacks at the end of the vegetative period, which can rot the bulb until it is completely mummified, it can be controlled quickly and effectively with the use of fungicides. To do this, separate the bulbs that are affected, you must dry them very well to proceed with the treatment, the most recommended is Benomyl. Do not reuse the substrate.
As for viruses, these are spread by poor handling of plants, that is, infected tools or poor pruning that allows access to viruses that end up damaging plantations. These are manifested by the appearance of light and irregular spots causing poor flowering and in many cases without the presence of flowers. This can be avoided by carrying out treatments with insecticides, carrying out good handling and cauterizing the plant when pruning to prevent the entry of viruses.
Sclerotia disease or neck rot is another of the diseases that usually attack the Tulip. This fungus does not produce spores or conidia. It spreads through the soil, so it penetrates the bulb, staying in the neck and producing a whitish and gray color inside, the roots are not affected but the bulb rots. To attack this disease, disinfect the bulb with a fungicide, remove the substrate or change the location of the plant.
Tulip Disorders
Tulips require care and pampering for a good development among those we have. Although it is true that they do not require amounts of water, they cannot be left completely dry, since the leaves tend to form before the roots, which causes the abortion of the flower buds. Likewise, excessive exposure to sunlight will cause the flowers to wilt. As for the excess of nitrogen, this causes the leaves to over-develop, resulting in the weakening and poor quality of the flower, as well as the appearance of spots on the leaves in the form of burns.
When the bent flower peduncle is observed, it may be due to a lack of calcium, a sudden variation in temperature or high humidity. Likewise, water deficiency, low temperatures or overheating of the bulb can result in floral atrophy, discoloration or change in texture. The petrification of the bulbs is another of the disorders that can occur, this happens due to late planting, resulting in the presence of scales on the bulbs, generating a whitish color and hardening that gradually increases until it colonizes the entire bulb.
However, when the petals have whitish apices, it may be due to a lack of moisture in the substrate and excess heat. Finally, we have the rupture of the epidermis on the underside of the leaves, rolling outwards, thus leaving all the tissues exposed to microorganisms and viruses.
Properties
This beautiful and exuberant flower has a large number of properties not only related to medicine but also for beauty and care treatments. Here we name some of them, hopefully it will serve you.
In medicine: Tulipán is attributed laxative, emollient and analgesic effects, stimulating for the expulsion of the placenta. Its leaves can be used to treat fever. In some parts, its leaves can replace spinach and the bulb is also consumable due to the amount of fiber it contains. Research is currently being carried out to learn more about its contributions to combat cancer cells. It is also attributed aphrodisiac characteristics, which is why in many civilizations it is consumed as an infusion, to increase sexual desire.
The shoots of this plant produce cyclopropanoids, beta-sitosterol, malvalate and methyl and hydroxymethyl ester derivatives. The nectar is rich in amino acids. It produces a substance with a viscous texture, similar to rubber, composed mainly of partially acetylated acid polysaccharides. A compound of L-rhamnose, D-galactose, D-galacturonic acid and D-glucuronic acid is extracted from the leaves. All of these with great commercial value in the pharmaceutical industry.
Cosmetics: It is used to treat conditions of the scalp, as it strengthens it and prevents the fall of hair follicles. Its chemical compounds that also help skin care, to keep it hydrated, relieve acne, sunburn and wounds.
The tulip flower is also given esoteric properties. In some localities rituals are performed to activate passion and love and with the petals they can even predict the future.
Meanings
Tulips are really beautiful flowers with great colors and shapes that for a long time were considered a flower only for the nobles, hence they took great insignificance in the plastic arts and especially in the economic part. In the same way, emotional meanings are attributed to it based on the color of each flower.
In the case of yellow tulips, they represent the positive, that is, everything that has to do with joy and happiness. Whites are used in religious rituals, as they are closely related to peace, innocence and purity. The red ones represent fire, passion and eroticism. Purples are associated with economic prosperity, as well as elegance and sophistication. Blacks are related to mourning, death and sadness. Roses are pure love and femininity. Blues are used to show loyalty, friendship, trust.
The Legend of the Tulips
The legend of the Tulips tells that a young prince of Persia, named Farhad, was deeply in love with one of his maidens named Shirin. One day they gave the prince the false news that his beloved had been murdered, he ran to his horse and galloped away to the highest mountain in the entire empire. Blinded by pain he dropped into the void. His blood sparked all over the ground in which the Tulips were born, this as a sign and reminder of love for this reason the red Tulip is associated with love and passion.
Fun Facts about Tulips
The Netherlands exports around 2,5 million tulip bulbs per year, made up of 8.000 different species. Tulipomania occurred in the middle of the XNUMXth century. New species of Tulips are currently being created. These flowers are edible, their petals are used as substitutes for onions, it is also used to make wine. It is one of the most expensive flowers. Holland is the country of tulips.
Learn much more by watching the following video about Tulips, you'll love it.
Learn more about flowers, in the following links: