TULIPS

The first phase of the flower’s life is in the bulb. The hot Turkish summers warm the ground and induce the formation of a new flower within the bulb. To create these conditions in the “glasshouses” (as the Dutch call greenhouses) in Holland, we put the bulbs in special heated rooms for 11 weeks. We then have to recreate the cold winter temperatures of Turkey for the bulbs to undergo “winter dormancy” in the dark for a further 16 weeks.

Without these conditions, the bulb will not produce a healthy flower. It is only at this stage that the bulb can be moved into the glasshouse and, after 19 to 23, days the flower will gracefully appear in its full splendour. There are many types of tulips grown as cut flowers.The common single (six petals), double (up to 12 petals), parrot, fringed, lily-flower and triumph. The latter four originated from mutants; variations that occurred naturally and were then bred by specialist breeders. These breeders can also create new colours and varieties by cross-breeding two different tulips – though it
takes them up to 15 years to produce one that can be commercialised. Nevertheless, the range is growing every year.

If you have any queries or stories about tulips, please email them to hello@ciaoflora.vn.

Fun Facts

- 99% of the weight of a tulip is water.
- 98% of tulips are grown in Holland.
-Tulips can be treated to prevent continued growth after picking. Reineri offer this service.
- 10 million tulips are sold in one day at the Aalsmeer auction, for International Women’s Day.
- 27 million tulips are sold in all the Dutch auctions together on the same day.
- The flowering of the tulip is a natural mechanism for the plant’s survival