As winter’s chill persists outdoors, spring has already blossomed within the greenhouses of Tula’s floriculturists. In the Kireyevsky district, seasoned grower Alina Zara and her husband have been cultivating tulips for nearly two decades, ensuring vibrant bouquets are ready for International Women’s Day on March 8th. Their meticulous process begins in October, involving the careful cooling of bulbs to synchronize blooming with the festive season.
This year, the Zaras are nurturing 42 distinct tulip varieties, including traditional smooth-petaled types, peony-like doubles, fringed peony forms, and the exotic parrot tulips. Parrot tulips are particularly notable for their unique, ruffled petals with pronounced central veins, offering an unconventional and striking appearance in floral arrangements. In recent years, consumer preferences have shifted towards lighter-colored tulips, with classic red shades now considered traditional and less fashionable.
To ensure longevity and freshness, tulips are harvested at the semi-mature “second stage,” where buds are not fully colored or developed. Post-harvest, they are stored in darkness at temperatures between +2 to +4°C and kept upright to prevent stem curvature. Under these conditions, tulips can remain fresh for over a month. Once placed in water and exposed to light, they quickly revive and continue their natural development.
For consumers seeking enduring bouquets, it’s advisable to select tulips with moderately sized, less intensely colored buds, indicating earlier stages of development. Regularly changing the water in the vase and positioning the arrangement away from heat sources can extend the display life of the flowers to at least a week.
The dedication and expertise of Tula’s greenhouse operators, exemplified by the Zaras, play a pivotal role in bringing the essence of spring to life during winter’s final stretch. Their commitment ensures that vibrant, high-quality tulips are available to brighten celebrations, reflecting both traditional cultivation techniques and evolving consumer tastes.
