Today, the largest tulip supplier in the world is the Netherlands. For a long time these magnificent flowers have become a symbol of Holland. Such a quantity of the most diverse in form, color and duration of flowering plants is not in any country in the world.
Dutch tulips are the standard of the highest quality and beauty. And a few centuries ago, their price was fabulous. For example, for one onion, the plants were given to the brewery. Two solid stone houses had to be given for three bulbs of beautiful flowers.
Pride of Holland
For four centuries, Little Holland has achieved unprecedented success in cultivating these exquisite flowers, becoming the main exporter of tulips, which many associate with the beginning of spring. Every year, this small country earns more than twenty-five billion dollars in floriculture. Dutch tulips, photos of which can be found in all publications for gardeners, are sent from this country to different states. Their number is 3/4 of all sold tulips in the world.
A kind of Mecca for florists is the Dutch Keukenhof Park. It can be safely called a flower kingdom. Here every year a magnificent exhibition takes place, at which the latest varieties of Dutch tulips are presented, original flower compositions are exhibited. And some lucky ones even manage to bring new Dutch tulips from the exhibition.
However, it is not necessary to go so far behind them - a huge number of different varieties can be bought today in Russian flower shops.
A bit of history
In 1554, the Austrian ambassador paid a visit to Turkey. Amazingly bright carpets of delicate tulips that adorned the courtyard of the Sultan’s possessions, the ambassador liked him so much that he bought several bulbs and sent them to Vienna. In the botanical garden of Vienna, the director at that time was the Dutch botanist, Clusius, who enthusiastically engaged in plant breeding and quickly achieved outstanding results.
Klusius presented his new varieties of tulips to his friends, he did not deprive onions of magnificent flowers and his homeland. In the city of Leiden (Holland), a botanical garden was opened in 1587, in which a talented breeder continued to work on breeding new varieties of tulips.
The appearance of tulips from Holland in Russia
In our country (then the USSR) Dutch tulips, photos of which you can see in our article, began to arrive in commercial volumes in the 50s of the last century. In those days, the most popular varieties were Apeldoorn, Diplomat, Parade, etc.
The quality of the flower bulbs has always been impeccable, the Dutch manufacturers adhered to the terms of the contracts very strictly, so every year the purchase of tulips increased. Many varieties produced by D. V. Lefeber ”was brought out by its founder, David Lefeber, by crossing his plants with wild animals from Russia. Thus, such varieties appeared as Yuri Gagarin, In memory of Lenin, the Bolshoi Theater and others.
Variety of species and varieties
Listing only the names of varieties of Dutch tulips will take more than one page - in the international register their number reaches 2500. The main parameters of tulip varieties are flowering time, flower shape and flower stalk height. According to the timing of flowering, they can be divided into:
- early flowering;
- medium flowering;
- late flowering.
According to the height of the peduncle, they are divided into three groups:
- up to 80 cm - tall;
- up to 50 cm - medium;
- from 8 cm - dwarf.
Dutch tulips: planting and care
Like almost any plant, these flowers can be grown from seeds or bulbs. However, in recent years, the first method practically does not grow Dutch tulips. Planting seeds is a long and troublesome task.
For young bulbs in a well-loosened soil make a long furrow ten centimeters deep. The earth should be moistened with a salt solution at the rate of two hundred grams per ten liters of water. Before planting, inspect the bulbs and remove damaged ones. Then the selected material is soaked for half an hour in a solution of potassium permanganate. Pre-treat the soil with a solution of baseazole. Put the bulbs in the prepared furrow at a distance of four centimeters and sprinkle them with a thin layer of sand.
Planting Dutch tulips to a depth of three centimeters. If the soil is too dense, then you can plant a little higher, if excessively loose, then it is better to deepen the bulbs. Between the rows, the distance should be at least twenty centimeters.
Landing time
If you want to grow a blooming flower bed or get flowers for bouquets, planting bulbs is recommended in the fall. By the time of planting, the soil temperature should drop to +10 ° C. Planting dates are calculated so that the bulb can take root for 2-3 weeks before frost. If tulips are planted earlier, they can begin to grow rapidly. As a result, they overwinter poorly and are likely to die.
A later planting will cause the bulb not to take root and not receive food in winter and early spring.
Spring planting
Dutch tulips, the cultivation of which is a rather fascinating process, can be planted in the spring, thereby simulating the natural cycle. Preliminarily, the bulbs are placed in a refrigerator (temperature +5 ° C) for seven days. Then carry out the usual processing before planting and planted, as in the first case.
Dutch tulips: care
These are hygrophilous plants. During flowering, frequent watering allows the plant to reach maximum size. Humidification of the earth within two weeks after completion of flowering will allow the bulb to grow and develop properly. Dutch tulips are watered from below.
Water getting on the leaves can sometimes provoke the development of gray rot and other fungal diseases.
Top dressing
In season, tulips are usually fed twice. After the first leaves appear on the plant, it is necessary to make nitrogen fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, for example). But remember that an excess of nitrogen can reduce the immunity of the plant and damage the root system.
During the formation of buds, tulips need trace elements. Therefore, you can use complex fertilizers ("Kemira-luxury"). Concentration - twenty grams per ten liters of water. Strengthens mullein plants.
New varieties
To the delight of flower growers, Dutch breeders spoil them with unique novelties every year. Many varieties were appreciated by amateur gardeners. They decorate flower beds or use to create a magnificent landscape design. Today there are many diverse trends and trends in the selection of tulips, but increased interest remains in the shades of lilac and pink varieties (First Rosy, Cacharel, Jefgenia, Canberra, etc.). Below we will introduce you some of the latest Dutch breeders.
Albatros
This is a classic snow-white tulip. It has a neat and very compact bud. Refers to varieties of medium ripening. The flower has a beautiful goblet shape and a large bud. The stalk is strong. The leaf is saturated green.
Beautytrend
This amazing variety will not leave anyone indifferent. It features an interesting combination of colors. The white bud of a goblet shape has a spectacular bright pink border. The variety is powerful and high. Peduncle height reaches 70 cm.
Canberra
This is a novelty in the flower market. However, the variety has already found fans among gardeners. The tulip has a spectacular lilac color with a white border. The flower is very large, its height reaches ten centimeters. The stem is 55 cm. It belongs to the mid-flowering group.
Circuit
This variety should be noted among the novelties in pink color. The composition of the flower is delightful - the glass of the bud is painted in bright pink color, with a delicate border of a lighter pink hue.
Jefgenia
Another successful development of Dutch breeders. These flowers showed excellent results in the middle and early stages of distillation. Peduncle powerful and strong. The stem height is 55 cm. The flower has a beautiful goblet shape, its height is 9 cm. Color - raspberry, with a light edging.
Kasia
A plant with a powerful stem, 60 cm high. Painted in a delicate mauve. A bud up to 10 cm high. These tulips are very popular in the flower market. Belongs to grades of average terms of distillation.
Verandi
It is necessary to highlight this spectacular variety in red. It combines bright red and yellow tones. This is an early variety. The height of the stem is 55 cm. A sharp transition of tones gives a special visual effect. It is enhanced by the bright green color of the foliage.