Tulipa gesneriana: characteristics, cultivation and care

tulip flower

The gesnerian tulip It is a tulip native to Asia and belongs to the Liliaceae family. One of its main characteristics is that it is hermaphrodite, which means that it has both male and female reproductive systems. It is widely used in garden decoration and potted.

Therefore, we are going to dedicate this article to tell you everything you need to know about gesnerian tulipits characteristics and care.

Key features

tulip in grass

It is a plant up to 50 cm tall and has a breeding season in autumn. Its flowers have a sweet aroma and are very resistant to low temperatures, which makes them the most expensive flowers in the world for a while. A little later, we will tell you that this is the most expensive flower in the world.

It all started with the enormous popularity that these acquired in Europe in the mid-XNUMXth century, and more specifically in the Netherlands. Due to speculation, these became the first financial bubbles in history and even replaced currencies for a certain period.

The gesnerian tulip It belongs to the Liliaceae family of perennial bulbs and belongs to a group of about 150 different species and innumerable hybrids. The most recognized tulip variety is the tulipa tulip, which became popular in central Europe in 1634 when it was considered one of the most prized flowers in the Netherlands and has remained so. In fact, its bulbs were exchanged for land and cattle.

One of the greatest characteristics of these plants is that they are hermaphroditic, meaning they themselves have male and female reproductive systems, or more simply, mixed reproductive systems. During its breeding season, generally between autumn and early winter, its flowers give off a very sweet aroma.

In addition, this tulip has the great advantage of being resistant to very low temperatures without being damagedalthough it has always been recommended to keep these flowers indoors at temperatures below zero, although they are resistant to extreme cold.

Caring for the gesnerian tulip

gesnerian tulip in garden

They are very popular perennials grown from bulbs. They are often placed in decorative gardens, but are also great for rock gardens and curbs. They can also be placed in pots or vases. Most hybrid tulips are hardy. When the temperature is below 5°C for 3-4 weeksthe differentiation of flower buds is easier and the flowering rate of the bulbs is higher. In addition, these flowers do not require a lot of water, so a watering after planting is enough.

In general, standing water should be avoided as it can cause tulip bulbs to rot. Also, when you store them, make sure the air in the room is as dry as possible to prevent them from spoiling. The Tulipa gesneriana likes sunny places. Whether planted in a pot or garden, It needs at least 7 hours of sunlight a day to flower, so it doesn’t need shade.

They prefer alkaline, well-drained soils. It is true that they can also grow in poor sandy soils, but not in clay soils, since they can interfere with the growth of the bulbs. Add coarse sand and topsoil to the clay to increase its permeability and allow for proper water drainage, providing optimal growing conditions. If the soil is acid, add lime to increase its pH, is best for this plant as it grows most easily in soils with a pH of 6-7.

How to plant the gesnerian tulip

gesnerian tulip

The best season to plant Tulipa gesneriana is from late autumn to early winter, when night temperatures drop to 10°C. If the temperature is too high, the roots may not grow well and the plant may get sick. If you decide to have it in the garden, preferably in a sunny and well-ventilated place.

Before planting, remove the weeds that surround it. Next, dig a large hole and insert the bulb into it. The depth and distance between bulbs should be at least twice their diameter. If you decide to plant the bulbs in clay, the recommended depth is 5-10 cm. In soft soils, it is recommended to leave about 15 cm deep. Insert a tulip bulb into the hole and cover lightly with soil. Finally, compact the soil with the help of a shovel or plank.

You can place a net under the bulb to easily collected when tulips are blooming and plants are wilting. If you prefer, you can place the bulb directly in a special basket and bury it in the ground. It is not recommended to plant tulips regularly and keep the same distance between the bulbs, as this will make the effect unnatural.

The gesnerian tulip They can also be grown in pots, buckets, stone troughs, or other decorative containers, but these containers must have drainage holes in the bottom. If a large container is used, it is best to place a layer of stones or bricks (about 3 cm thick) at the bottom to facilitate drainage.

Maintenance tasks

They don’t need a lot of water. Whether they are planted in a pot or in the garden, watering after planting is usually sufficient. During flowering, potted tulips need occasional watering to keep the soil moist and prevent it from drying out. After the flowering period, keep the soil moist until the leaves wither.

Remember that potting soil is more likely to dry out, so water more frequently and always avoid standing water. Rain is usually enough unless the weather is very dry; in this case, additional watering will be required.

They are often used as disposable bulbs, meaning once they flower, they are discarded or dug up for summer storage, so fertilization is not required. If you find that the soil is in poor condition, mix some fertilizer into the soil when you plant the bulbs.

Prune faded flowers as soon as possible to avoid excessive nutrient and energy consumption during the fruiting period. Thus, You will also be able to preserve the nutrients of the bulb, lengthen the flowering period and increase the vigor of the plant.

If you want to collect tulip seeds, wait for the pods to dry out and split open after the blooms fade. Cut the shaft into the ground after collecting the seeds. In general, it is recommended to plant each bulb only once. At the end of the flowering period, the bulbs are dug up and disposed of along with the withered leaves.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about the gesnerian tulip and their characteristics.

Tulipa gesneriana: characteristics, cultivation and care

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