Homeland and history of tulips

The tulip has become one of the most popular flower crops. And it would seem that gardeners know everything about him. However, it is not.

Today tulips are firmly and indestructible associated with the Netherlands. After all, it is there that most of these flowers are grown. And the quality, their variety amaze the imagination. but according to most experts, the real homeland of tulips is Kazakhstan. Rather, the south of the Kazakh steppes.

It was there that wild varieties of the flower were found in large quantities. In Western Europe, the decorative tulip began to be grown not earlier than the end of the 16th century. They got there from the Ottoman Empire, where they were cultivated even for the sultans. Most of the tulip varieties developed in Holland were created much later. The Asian varieties were the starting point.

The conversation about the history of the flower in culture must be supplemented with an analysis of its biological prehistory. And again we will have to look at Kazakhstan. There, tulips bloom profusely in early spring. You can find them:

• in the steppe;
• in desert;
• in the Tien Shan;
• in Altai.

All these places are inhabited by diverse plant species. Yet tulips occupy a special place among them. Painters, photographers and poets pay attention to them. And, of course, naturalists.

About a third of them grow in Kazakhstan. This further confirms the thesis of the origin of this plant. It is believed that tulips appeared 10-20 million years ago. Tentatively - in the deserts and foothills of the Tien Shan. Further tulips spread to all directions of the world.

Gradually, they covered a vast territory. They are found in the Siberian steppes, and in the Iranian deserts, and in Mongolia, and even in the mountains of southern Europe. Still, most of the cultivated species come directly from Asian countries. This is reflected even in the names of varieties. Flowers bred on the basis of Kazakhstani material:

• used in the design of streets and parks;
• displayed in large botanical gardens and rock gardens;
• turn out to be a real highlight of the leading private collections around the world.

Tulips are perennial bulbous plants. Seed propagation is typical for them (at least, this is typical for species with large flowers). You can expect flowering seedlings for 10-15 years. A wild tulip can live from 70 to 80 years. In the course of evolution, the plant has perfectly adapted to harsh arid conditions.

Every year in the summer, a regenerating bud is laid in the middle of the succulent bulbs. It already contains all the prepared parts of the escape for the next year. In favorable weather, the flower goes through a full development cycle in a maximum of 3 months. This also confirms the widespread assumption about the country of origin and the conditions for the evolutionary development of the tulip. In Kazakhstan itself, or rather, in its southern part, tulips reveal their beauty in April and May.

These plants bloom earlier than poppies, and, moreover, do not form a continuous field. The impressive scarlet "goblets" characteristic of Greig's tulip are found in the area between Arys and Kordai. The tulip of Albert also looks expressive, which is squat and forms a bowl-shaped flower. You can find this species:

• in Karatau;
• on the territory of the Chu-Ili mountains;
• in the area Betpak-Dala.

Between Alma-Ata and Merke, Ostrovsky's tulip is ubiquitous, distinguished by its external grace. The steppes from the borders of the Kazakh part of the Urals to Astana are inhabited by the species of Shrenk. It has a very varied color. Yellow flowers can be seen in the vicinity of Lake Balkhash, in Kyzylkum, in Betpak-Dala and on the shores of the Aral Sea. The most popular species is named after Greig, which has been known as the "king of tulips" for more than 140 years.

This name was given by growers from Holland, and they can be trusted like no one else in everything that concerns an elegant flower. In the wild, the plant inhabits the area from Kyzylorda almost to Almaty itself. You can meet him mainly in the foothills and on the slopes of the mountains covered with rubble. The grace of Greig's tulip is associated with:

• powerful stem;
• wide gray leaves;
• flower up to 0.15 m in diameter.

There are also such plant species that are found not even in all of Kazakhstan, but only in its individual parts. Regel's tulip, for example, can be found only in the Chu-Ili mountains. This species blooms very early and looks extremely original. Already in the last days of March, flowers of modest size can be seen. The stems are pressed against the warm rocks as the air is still too cold.

The ancient plant has an unusual geometry of leaves. Their structure betrays the long evolution experienced by such a tulip in the struggle for existence. The goal is clear: to collect as much heat as possible while minimizing water evaporation. A little later, Albert's tulip blooms.

According to some professionals, the role of Iran (Persia) in the formation of the tulip is no less than the contribution of Kazakhstan. The fact is that, according to one of the versions, it was there (and not in Turkey) introduced into the culture. The traditional Persian name, Toliban, is given for its resemblance to a turban. In Iran, the tradition of growing this flower is preserved. And even in a number of Tajik cities there is an annual holiday dedicated to him.

Significant selection work has been going on in Turkey for several centuries. A rare Turkish city does not have tulip plantations. And also this flower was placed on the coat of arms of Istanbul in the sultan's times. And in modern Turkey, the tulip pattern is applied to kitchen utensils, houses, decorations and many other items. Each April is accompanied by a dedicated plant festivals.

It is generally accepted that this culture is associated with friendliness, a positive attitude. Starting in the 18th century, the Netherlands took over the palm. Moreover, the export of flowers to Asian countries is already starting from there, and not vice versa. Curiously, the tulip got to Holland and Austria almost at the same time. It is believed that the flower first seen by the Austrians belonged to the Schrenk species.

Although the tulip is native to Asia, the Dutch have mastered it on a large scale. They organize spectacular auctions, which, along with a purely commercial function, have the task of entertaining visitors. A stormy bargaining unfolds as soon as the sun rises. Many auctions are open all year round, but it is still best to come for tulips in the spring or summer. The world's largest commercial tulip flower garden is Keukenhof, located in the city of Lisse.

Suppliers generally provide their flowers to the park at no extra cost. The fact is that the very participation in the Keukenhof exposition turns out to be a very honorable right. And the opportunity to promote your products on the market is worth a lot. Every 10 years the international exhibition "Floriada" is held in the Netherlands. And any city in the country is desperately fighting for the right to participate in it.

But back to the past of the tulip. It is assumed that from Turkey it first spread to Greece, Crimea, and the territory of modern Balkan countries. Already from Austria, the flower gets to Italy and Lisbon.At the same time, it spreads across North Africa. And while all this was happening, a real fever unfolded in Holland.

The bulbs cost incredible money. They were hunted. A rare farm in the country has not tried to grow this plant. Those days are long gone, but it is thanks to this feverish activity that Holland is forever ahead of other countries in the field of tulip cultivation.

For more interesting facts about tulips, see the next video.