Multiflora tulip (Multiflora) is an unusually beautiful and extremely moody plant. Despite this, having once seen these flowers, I want to experiment and grow such beauty on my site.
These tulips, which are often called multi-stemmed, bushy, bunched, give several magnificent flowers from one bulb.
Growing Features
The main problem of these plants is that the vast majority of varieties rapidly degenerate. Often the onion pleases with its magnificent bouquet only in the first year. For the next season, she gives two or three not very dense buds, which in the end may not even please you with flowering. To avoid this, it is necessary to properly care for multi-flowered tulips and choose well-established, proven varieties and quality planting material.
In order for the multi-flowered tulip to retain varietal features, you should buy the bulbs of the first analysis. This means that their diameter is preferable to at least four centimeters. Smaller specimens most often give “blind” buds or, in the very first season, give only one very weak flower.
How to plant tulips in the fall?
Experienced flower growers know that autumn is the most important period in the life of all tulips, including many-flowered ones. Although these are perennials, tulip bulbs should be replanted every year. This minimizes the risk of developing various diseases and stimulates the formation of healthy peduncles.
How to plant tulips in the fall? This question is for beginners in floriculture. This work is carried out in the second half of September or in early October. For planting, it is necessary to choose a well-lit place with a low occurrence of groundwater, since bulbs can die with excessive moisture.
The soil for tulips needs loose and light, with an alkaline neutral structure, since these plants do not tolerate acidic soils. Before planting, it is necessary to prepare the bulbs. They should be kept for about an hour in a suspension of toxin-M or cineb. The solution is prepared at the rate of fifty grams of funds per bucket of water.
The multi-flowered tulip should be planted to a depth that is two to three times the height of the bulb. As a rule, this is ten to twenty centimeters. Planting material must be carefully squeezed at the bottom of the grooves into the loose earth, but in no case screwed. Particular care should be taken with the bulb in October. During this period, the root bead swells and becomes fragile and vulnerable to damage.
For central Russia, the most suitable time for planting tulips is the second half of September. The temperature at this time is still quite high, many sunny days. The rooting of the plant begins at the moment when the temperature at the depth of the onion drops to + 4-9 degrees Celsius. In a dry autumn, after planting the beds, it is necessary to water abundantly. To keep the soil warm for as long as possible and to extend the rooting time of the bulbs as much as possible, which is especially important for late planting, the ridges must be sprinkled with peat.
The soil
Two to three weeks before planting, you must begin to prepare the soil for tulips. Digging the soil, mineral and organic fertilizers are introduced into it. To improve soil structure, weathered peat and sand can be used.
Watering
Tulip multiflowered - culture is hygrophilous. If for many other types of tulips, watering is not critical, then for bouquet varieties it is necessary. In the root zone, the soil should always be slightly moist - starting from early spring immediately after the snow melts and until the very first buds appear. It is during dry times that the plant most often drops buds.
Top dressing
Today, many flower growers dream of seeing a multi-flowered tulip in their area. The description of the known varieties, which is given by breeders, involves the mandatory feeding of these plants. Multi-flowered tulips need three times top dressing.
The first is held in early spring. To do this, use complex mineral fertilizer, which is distributed under the plants at the rate of 40 grams per m². When the first buds appear, a second top dressing is performed. You can use the same fertilizers and not change the dosage.
The third top dressing is carried out during flowering. At this time, tulips are watered with a solution of potassium monophosphate. In ten liters of water, it is necessary to dissolve a tablespoon of fertilizer.
Care after flowering
The multi-flowered tulip needs care after flowering. Ovaries from plants must be removed as soon as possible. Only the head should be removed, and the stem should not be broken off. When the aerial part of the plant turns yellow, multi-flowering tulips must be dug up. Unlike many other varieties, these plants need a longer dormant period. The first month they are kept warm (temperature is about +30 degrees Celsius).
In August, the bulbs must be moved to a cooler place. Planting material must be cooled in stages. By the end of September, the bulbs must be stored at a temperature of +15 degrees.
Multiflower tulips: varieties
Today, a huge number of varieties and hybrids have been bred, and breeders continue to work on new plants. We will introduce you to the popular and well-established varieties.
Antoinette
Great variety chameleon. The multi-flowered Antoinette tulip is distinguished by buds, which change the color of the petals as they grow, from pale yellow to red. On one stalk, up to six buds can bloom, forming an exquisite bouquet. The plant tolerates windy weather and develops well in partial shade. Looks great on a flower bed and is suitable for cutting.
Candy Kisses
A variety with unusually beautiful flowers with an original color. The petals of these tulips change color from pink at the base to peach at the edges. From one bulb grows to six peduncles. Tulips Candy Kisses are also attractive because they can not only be grown on a flower bed, but also as a pot culture.
Quebec
Tulip Quebec is not very tall. The bulb gives a small bouquet of two or three flowers. The buds of this plant are orange with a yellow trim. The plant looks good in rock gardens, in the flower garden, in container planting. Quebec tulips are among the first to bloom in spring, so we recommend including them in your collection.
Rosie Bouquet
Rosy Bouquet lives up to its name completely. A luxurious bouquet grows from one bulb of this variety. The buds are small, creamy white, with a delicate pink fringing of petals.
Belisia
Terry multi-flowered early variety Belicia forms three to five peduncles from one bulb. Flowers of this variety are luxurious cream cups with a scarlet edging. When the buds open fully, they resemble snowflakes with bright edges. These tulips do not grow too fast.
Fringeid family
Fringed multi-flowered bright pink Fringed Family cultivar gives five to seven buds from one peduncle. The bright lilac-purple color of the flowers allows us to call the variety one of the most spectacular among multiflora. Ideal for flower beds and pruning.
Wallflower
This variety has very large buds. One bulb can produce up to five flowers. Their height reaches eight centimeters, and a diameter of up to sixteen centimeters. From these flowers, a stunning bouquet is obtained, despite the not too large stems - no more than forty-five centimeters. Maroon buds.
Orange Bouquet
A very unusual variety with five peduncles. The buds can be painted in geranium red or orange. The flowers have a yellow base, sometimes an orange border. Petals internal - red-pink hue. Tulips Orange Bouquet look great in rock gardens.