A Guide to Tulip Flowers

Tulips  are  perennial  flowers that bloom in the spring. They usually have large, bright-colored, showy flowers. Tulips are part of the lily family, also known as  Liliaceae . The word tulip is thought to have evolved from the  Persian word for "turban".

Q: What kind of bulbs are tulips?

A: Tulips grow from  tunicate bulbs. A tunicate bulb has an outer layer with a papery texture. The  inner bulb structure is located within this thin outer layer. Tulip bulbs have full bases. The roots grow out of the  basal plates, which is the bottom of the bulb. The bulb narrows towards the top, which is where the tulip stem and foliage emerge from. The inner sections of the bulb are known as leaf scales. These leaves make the bulb grow more substantial during the dormant season when the leaves are developing and then shrink during the growing season when the growth leaves the bulb. The tulip flower forms in the center of the bulb, and during the growing season, a healthy bulb will store nutrients and energy and grow new leaf scales so it can bloom again next spring.

Q: Are there different kinds of tulips?

A: There are many different varieties of tulips. They include:

• Acropolis Tulip: A rosy-pink flower that blooms towards the middle of spring. They do well in windy conditions and can stand up to heavy rain. They grow best in full sun and can reach heights of 24 inches tall.
• Bright Gem: The flowers on this tulip are rounded in shape and are yellow with a flush of apricot. They only reach up to six inches tall and do best with full sun.
• Mariette Tulip: The Mariette looks more like a lily than a tulip. It has pointed petals, and the base of the flower is white. It does best in protected areas and with full sun.
• Tubergen's Gem: This tulip has a red interior and yellow exterior. The flower opens in an unusual star shape when receiving direct sunlight. The flower grows up to ten inches and comes back yearly. Does best in full sun.
• Whittallii Tulip: The flowers on this tulip are star-shaped. The petals are blood orange with an olive green base. They grow up to twelve inches tall.

Q: What kind of soil should I grow my tulips in?

A: Most tulips will grow in almost any kind of soil, but they do best in  sandy soil. Specifically, they need a soil rich in organic materials. The only type of soil tulips don't do well with is  clay soil . Organic materials are incredibly crucial in places with heavy soil. Loosening the soil and adding organic material allows roots to spread out and the tulip to thrive. Older gardening guides encouraged the use of  bone meal, but this is not currently recommended.

Q: Where should I plant tulips?

A:  Tulips need a site  with full sun or at least good afternoon sun. However, if gardeners are planting in  zones seven or eight, they should instead choose a shadier spot or a spot that only receives morning sun to protect the tulips from the heat. The soil must be dry and have good drainage. Tulips don't fare well in very moist land. Taller varieties of tulips need to be planted in areas that offer  protection from windy conditions. Each bulb needs four to six inches of space, so make sure the planting bed is large enough.

Q: How should tulips be planted?

A: Plant tulips by digging a trench, and save the soil. If planting a variety of colors, mix the bulbs to make sure the colors are equally and randomly distributed. The bulbs should be planted at least four inches apart. The pointy side of the bulb must be pointing up when planted.

Q: When should I plant my tulips?

A: Tulips are planted in the fall before the first frost.

Q: When do tulips generally bloom, and how tall will they grow?

Tulips typically bloom in the spring, but different varieties bloom at different times. Gardeners can mix these bulbs so that their gardens have tulips blooming at different times. The height of tulips ranges from six to twenty-four inches. It depends on the variety of tulip.

Q: Are tulips perennials?

A: The tulip is historically a perennial plant. However, the tulip has been crossbred with a variety of other plants over the centuries, and this has weakened the perennial nature of the flower. Many gardeners now treat tulips as annual flowers, because the first year of the tulip is far superior to subsequent years. What is the difference between  perennial and annual plants? Perennials bloom year after year, while annuals only bloom once.

Q: Are there reasons as to why my tulips didn't come back this year?

A: Tulips require a specific environment to bloom each year. Tulips prefer dry, hot summers, and cold winters, but not every region has this environment. Another common reason is the lack of nutrients in the soil. Try adding phosphorus to the soil around your tulip beds.

Q: How do I care for tulips once they have flowered?

A: Cut off the flower head after it has fully bloomed using gardening shears. Leave the stem in place until the leaves start to turn yellow. After six weeks, remove the stem, but mark the location of the bulb.

Q: What pests/diseases can arise from tulips?

A: The most common problem with tulips are fungal diseases. Tulips typically develop issues like  Botrytis blight,  which causes spots on petals and leaves. Eventually, it can cause the stems to collapse and lesions to cover the bulbs. Both gray bulb rot and tulip crown rot cause tulips bulbs to turn gray. These diseases also inhibit growth.  Basal rot  causes pink mold and large brown spots and leads to deformed blooms.

Q: Can tulips be fatal?

A: The alkaloid and glycoside compounds in tulips are  toxic to humans. Consuming them can cause stomach upset and dizziness. Consuming large quantities could be fatal.

Q: Do animals like tulips?

A: Tulips aren't typically toxic to animals, and  many wild animals  (including chipmunks, deer, rabbits, and squirrels) enjoy eating tulips. People who live in areas with lots of wildlife can try spraying their tulips with a wildlife repellent.

Q: Do tulips have any cultural significance?

The tulip has a long-standing cultural significance for many different cultures.  Persian poets wrote about tulip  flowers as far back as the thirteenth century. In Arabic, the  tulip has the same letters as Allah, which led to the tulip becoming a holy symbol. The tulip is also associated with the  House of Osman, and that association led to the use of the tulip as a decorative symbol in carved furniture and other items.  There's some debate among historians about the so-called "tulip fever" in the 17th century.

Q: What are some ways I can use tulips?

A: Tulips have long been a favorite flower to cut and use as bouquets for interior decorating, weddings, and flower baskets.  Tulip petals are edible  and taste similar to lettuce. They can be used in salads. Some bakers crystallize the petals and use them as cake decorations.

Q: What do tulips symbolize?

A: Different colored tulips symbolize different things.

• Red symbolizes true love.
• White means forgiveness.
• Pink represents happiness and confidence.
• Purple is the color of royalty.
• Yellow represents happy thoughts.

This article was published by Chad Kremp

This article published by Chad Kremp