Tulips are extremely popular flowers in Russia, despite the fact that their homeland is far from here. Beautiful, not requiring too vigilant supervision and very tenacious, they not only look beautiful, but also smell extremely pleasant. Florists appreciated the positive aspects of this flower, and brought out several thousand varieties of tulips.
Tulips appeared on the planet 15 million years ago, and by now there are more than 80 species of these flowers (according to some scientists – more than 100). These species, in turn, consist of more than 1800 varieties and forms of commercially grown tulips.
In the hungry years, Europeans used fresh tulip bulbs as a substitute for onions, and dried and powdered into powder were added to the flour. In the eastern countries, and now eat bulbs of tulip edible.
Tulip for several centuries was a symbol of the ruling dynasty of the Ottoman Empire.
In the beginning of the XVII century in France, the bulbs of tulips became the subject of rush demand, which cost fabulous money. Grooms often bought bulbs as a wedding gift for their brides, and one miller traded his mill for one bulb, being quite happy with the terms of the deal.
The world fund of commercially cultivated tulips reached its maximum in 1952, when the growers around the world grew 5,544 varieties of these plants. However, by the mid-1980s, the number of varieties was more than halved.
The international body for the certification of varieties of tulips is in the Netherlands – it is called the Royal Society of Bulbous Plants. This country currently controls more than 90% of the world market for bulbs of tulips.
In the Netherlands, in periods when tulips require particularly active watering, artificially raise the level of groundwater.
In Russia, tulips were brought to the end of the 18th century by Peter I. The emperor created a special company engaged in the export of these flowers from the Netherlands.
In Iran tulips are considered a symbol of martyrs and soldiers who died for their homeland.
Tulips of different colors have their own symbolic meaning. So, red tulips (like other bright red flowers) symbolize love and passion, yellow – wealth, and whites are a request for forgiveness.
Biologists attribute tulips to a family of lilies, which also include garlic and asparagus.
Variety of tulips “Queen of the Night” has a rich purple, almost black petals. This unusual flower inspired Alexandre Dumas to write a famous novel “Black Tulip”.
There is a legend according to which the Turkish ruler was in love with a beautiful girl. When they informed him that his beloved was dead, the ruler, distraught with grief, rose to a high rock and rushed down. After some time, on the spot of his death rose red tulips, which became a symbol of love and devotion.
The first literary work, in which the tulip is mentioned, is the poem of Omar Khayyam, written in the 12th century.
