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Today tulips are a synonym for Holland where they are
cultivated in big fields all over the country. Dutch people export
their flowers in large numbers all over the world, which is why many
people still think that all these plant cultures originally come
from Holland. That is not completely true – these plants grow in
Holland today, but were brought there from Turkey. Turkey had many
flower variations which eventually were introduced to European
countries, throughout 16th and 17th century, mainly.
After they were exported to Holland in the 16th century,
tulips became most popular flower culture there causing quite a
stir. A huge interest in these flowers was described in the
literature and entitled “tulipmania” since they became so popular in
different parts of Holland. As people wanted more and more of these
flower kinds, prices were growing higher and higher, so we can say
that tulips were very expensive back in the days, and therefore
could be owned by richer people. The year when the price escalated
is mentioned in various documents – it was 1637, and the tulip
market was large and kicking. Bulbs were sold expensively, while
they were still in the ground; and price was set according to their
weight.
To give you an example, how expensive these Turkish flowers
became in Holland, we will just point out that tulips (some
examples) often were sold for the price of an average house. Yes,
that’s correct – bulb of tulips could cost more than a house, in
Holland. The Dutch government knew that this all became ridiculous
and tried to stop the tulip market, but since the demand was growing
on daily basis, they couldn’t do anything about it. Of course, it
had to end and the frenzy was gone very fast. Suppliers started
importing more and more from turkey, the market was covered, demands
stopped, and many florists went broke. It may sound silly but at
some point “the tulip market” just crashed.
Tulips had a very colourful and interesting role in the
history of Turkey. There is a period in the history of this country,
literally known as the “Tulip era”, and it lasted from 1718 till
1730. During that period of time, Sultan Ahmed III was leading the
country, and during that time Turkey experienced the era of peace
and joy.
Tulips were present everywhere, on pictures, in gardens,
they became a part of art scene, and also part of Turkish national
folklore. Embroidery, textile, carpets and many other things
contained pictures of tulips or tulip fields on them, and it became
widely recognisable in Turkey.
During these years, Turkey was blossoming, people lived
wealthy and happy and progress was happening in many fields, for
instance during the “tulip era” Turkey founded the first printing
house. This era was finished dramatically, when the Sultan was
dethroned, in 1730.
Even the name tulips, comes from Turkish language. In Turkish
“tulipa” is derivation of a word “tulblend” and also the word
“turban”, and this flower resembles on these two things. Tulips are
considered the most beautiful and known as the king of bulbs, for
their grace and beauty. Tulips are very colourful and come in an
excellent colour palette: they can be white, red, pink, yellow,
purple, orange, bi-coloured and even black. One particularly popular
breed comes from Manisa, and these tulips are called Anemons.
Tulips are usually purchased in the autumn, and they should
be planted as soon as you buy them. During the winter, you can breed
them successfully indoor, but then they will need special attention.
After tulips bloom you should let the plant grow, ‘till it falls
off. In that post blooming phase, the plant stores energy in the
bulb, so that it can grow next spring again.
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