Middle Eastern Marvels - Garden Plants – Tulip

Name – Tulipa, the tulip's genus name, is the Latinized version of tulipam or tulbend, which means ‘turban’ in Turkish and was generally used to describe the shape of the tulip – oddly enough, ‘tulip’ has now become the term of choice to describe any narrow symmetrical shape with a tapering curve!

Description – Strap-like leaves and sturdy, upright stems, bearing colourful flowers, which may droop if the flower – like the Parrot varieties – is very heavy. Colour range from pure white to almost black, but lacking a true blue.

Origin –Tulips originate in Turkey and this gives clues to their ideal growing conditions. The bulbs grow best in fertile, sandy soil in a sunny, open location and should be protected from excessive moisture and strong winds. Traditionally it was always said that bulbs should be planted in the autumn, before the first frosts but present think says that you can plant up until the end of November, and it should be noted that tulip bulbs actually need cold weather to send out their root. Tulips should be planted at a depth of approximately three times the length of the bulb. After flowering, most tulip varieties benefit from being lifted and stored in a dry place until the following autumn or flower size may decrease or the bulb actually may not flower the following year. Some varieties, particularly the Kaufmanniana hybrids and the species tulips, can be left in the ground and may spread to colonise an area, but remember that over-crowded bulbs can still cease to flower. If this occurs, dig up your tulips just before all the foliage has completely died down and divide by pulling smaller new bulbs from the base of the old bulb and replant them. If you are growing tulips in containers, remember to water during early spring – before the flowers appear - when you might get dry, warm weather, otherwise the bulbs will dry out and remain dormant for that flowering season.

For Decoration – did you know that tulips can grow up to two inches in height after being cut and will curve toward the light? To address this, turn your tulip vase through ninety degrees every day, or turn individual tulips in a mixed arrangement by the same amount to keep them straight. It used to be said that you should slit tulip stems near the flower in an effort to avoid drooping, but this reduces the nutrient uptake and shortens the life of your cut flowers.

Middle East tulip photograph by Kivanc, used under a creative commons attribution licence

 

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