About Tulips

Tulips are one of the oldest cultivated flowers, and there are many varieties and colors of tulips. This allows the gardener to plant different types that bloom at different times, ensuring there are tulips available for the entire growing season.

History

The Netherlands is the country most associated with tulips, but that is not where they got their start. They originated in central Asia in the time of the Persian Empire. They were first reported in Europe in 1554, but it is unknown exactly when and how they got there. The first printed reference to tulips in Europe dates from 1592. Tulips were so popular and valued that between 1634 and 1637 they were actually used as currency.

Types

There are more than 150 different types of tulips. Tulips are grouped into 15 classifications: by when they bloom and the type of flower. Single Early tulips are the first ones to bloom in the spring and have one flower on a stem. Double Early tulips have more than the usual number of petals. Darwin Hybrid is one of the tallest tulips. Single Late tulips are single flowers that bloom later in the season. Triumph tulips are a hybrid cross of early and late singles. Lily-flowered tulips have thin, pointy petals. Fringed tulips come in a wide range of colors and have fringed edges. Viridiflora tulips have petals that are part green. Parrot tulips have large flowers with twisted petals. Double Late tulips have one of the longest bloom times. Kaufmanniana blooms best in full sun. Fosteriana and Griegy are also types with pointy petals. Wild tulips are one of the shortest varieties.

Features

Tulips are native to southern Europe, north Africa and parts of Asia. Tulips are grown from bulbs and are considered perennials. Depending on the variety, tulips can grow from 4 to 27 inches in height, and have from two to twelve leaves. The tulip flowers are cup shaped with six petals, and can have single or double blooms.

Geography

Tulips will flourish if they get long cool springs with an early summer. In warmer climates, they are annuals and will bloom in the spring. If you do not have the right climate, tulips can be used as a container plant and brought inside if necessary.

Considerations

Tulips should be planted in the late summer or early fall. Make sure the soil is well drained. In hotter climates, tulips need to be planted deeper, as deep as 12 inches, in order to protect the delicate bulbs from the hot sun of summer. Tulip bulbs can be dug up in June after the flowers are gone and re-planted in September. This is also the time to divide the bulbs to make more plants. Water them as soon as they start to grow and the stems will be longer and the flowers larger.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_4697286_tulips.html

Tulip Flower Description

The tulip flower grows in a variety of vibrant colors, shapes and sizes and is widely recognized throughout the world. The tulip's popularity dates back to the 17th century. According to the website springvalleys.com, tulips are the third most popular flower worldwide, ranking next to the rose and chrysanthemum. Billions of tulips are cultivated every year. Most of them are grown and exported from Holland. There are about 100 species of tulips.

Origin
Tulips are native to Central Asia. After growing wildly across China to Mongolia, they eventually spread to Europe. By the year 1000 A.D., Turkey had begun cultivating the flowers, which have long played a significant role in Turkish art and culture.

The reign of Sultan Ahmed III, from 1718 to 1730, was called the "Tulip Era," recognized as an era of peace and happiness. Consequently, tulips became part of Turkish daily life, as well as the arts and folklore. Tulip designs and shapes, for example, were incorporated into various Turkish textiles and embroidery. The botanical name for tulip is "Tulipa," which is derived from the Turkish term "tulbend," also known as turban---a Turkish hat shaped like a tulip.

Features
Tulips bloom on large bulbous perennial plants, growing bold and showy flowers with six petals. The tulip's color varies widely and includes: pink, yellow, white, red, violet, green, orange and blue. Its height ranges from 8 to 12 inches, with oblong or blade-shaped leaves that are waxy and fleshy to the touch.

Symbolism
The general meaning of the tulip, according to the website springvalleys.com is perfect love. Like many types of flowers, however, each color of a tulip conveys its own meaning. Red tulips, for example, symbolize true love, while purple tulips are associated with royalty. Yellow tulips once meant hopeless love but now represent cheerful thoughts. White tulips are used to send a message of forgiveness, as well as to claim worthiness. Tulip flowers that have different colored petals in various patterns signify "beautiful eyes."

Planting
Select your ideal location for planting tulips and prepare the soil by eliminating rocks and weeds. Combine plenty of fertilizer with organic material. Special bulb formulas and bone meal are ideal. Although tulips grow in several types of soil, ensure that your soil has proper drainage. Buy the finest quality bulbs: the larger the bulb, the larger the bloom. Plant bulbs six to eight inches apart at a depth twice the diameter of the bulb in an area that receives direct sunlight.

Maintenance
Although a tulip loses its outer parts after its blooming season, it still manages to conserve its underground bulbs. To allow for propagation of future tulip growth, cut the flowers within three weeks after blooming and leave the leaves and stems to dry. Wait a month and a half after cutting the flowers and extract the bulbs. Conserve them in a cool and dry environment until the next planting.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_6627242_tulip-flower-description.html