Tulips are ornamental bulbous flowers that are well-suited for cultivation in the temperate regions of India, such as Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Tulip cultivation requires providing the bulbs with a chilling period, planting them in well-drained soil at the appropriate spacing and depth, and maintaining optimum temperature, light, and moisture conditions for growth. Common pests that affect tulips include thrips and aphids, while diseases such as bulb rot and fusarium infection must also be controlled. Tulips are harvested when the flowers are 25-50% colored.

1. Protected cultivation- EC-24
(2+1)
PRESENTED BY:
RAKESH KUMAR PATTNAIK
Asst. Prof. Horticulture
MITS INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Lecture 10. Tulip under protected cultivation
Dt.15.06.20

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 Tulipa stellata and
T. aitchisonii
 Liliaceae
 Tulips are very famous ornamental bulbous flowers grown
due to their attractiveness.
 Tulip cultivation is limited in India. However, Himachal
Pradesh and hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir are
perfect for Tulip cultivation.
 Holland is the largest producer of tulip flowers and bulbs
and has become the back bone of flower industry in
Netherlands.
 Tulip consists of 100-150 species, it ranks first among
bulbous ornamental
 Largest area under a true bulb crop in the world is that
of tulip followed by narcissus, iris, hyacinth and lily.
 In temperate regions of Jammu and Kashmir,
Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand and similar hilly
region.
 Colors like orange, pink, cherry, magenta, salmon,
crimson, purple, apricot, lilac, mauve, blue. yellow,
apricot, violet, terracotta, red. scarlet, chocolate, brown
along with many shades.

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Varieties of Tulips:
 In India, the main varieties of early flowering
Tulips are; Single Early, Double Early, and
 Mid-season Tulips are; Triumph, Mendal.
 The late season Tulip varieties are Rembrandt.
Bijbloemen, Double Late, Parrots, Darwin and
Darwin hybrids.

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Environmental Conditions
For the production of tulips four factors plays
a vital role in the development of tulips they are
listed below
Temperature
Light
Humidity and
Air composition
 Temperature is the most important factor affecting growth
physiology of tulip.
 There is an obligatory temperature requirement for tulip
growth. It requires warm (17-20°C), cold (2-9°C) and
warm (17-20°C) temperature in sequence.
 The bulbs are typically planted in late summer and fall,
normally from 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 inch.) deep, depending on
the type planted, in well drained soils

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Pre-Requisites for the cultivation of Tulip flowers
inside the greenhouse
STEP 1:
 Give the tulip bulbs the correct amount of chilling by either allowing them to sit in
an unheated greenhouse, or by placing them in a cooler.
 The length of chilling required for most tulip varieties is 14 to 16 weeks, depending
on the variety.
 The temperature must stay between 35 and 45 degrees F during this time.
 The amount of time from chilling to bloom time will take about 21 weeks, depending
on the tulip variety.

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STEP 2:
 Plant the bulbs in the ground inside the greenhouse, or planting trays filled
with potting soil inside the greenhouse, after the chilling period is finished.
 It takes four to six weeks for the tulips to bloom after planting in the ground or
trays inside the greenhouse
 When planting the bulbs directly in the ground or in planting trays, plant as
close as 2 inches apart and 1 inch below the surface of the soil

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STEP 3:
 Expose the planting area you have chosen for growing your tulips to a steady temperature of 65 to
70 degrees F.
 You may need to use a greenhouse heater to accomplish this if you're growing in the early spring
when outdoor temperatures are still cool.
 If the temperatures are too warm, provide ventilation. If you're attempting to grow tulips in the
heat of the summer, you will need to provide air conditioning, exhaust fans or other cooling device
to keep the temperatures down to the desired level.
 Temperatures that are too warm will cause the bulbs to bloom quickly on long, rangy stems, so
keep the temperature at the required level of 65 to 70 degrees F for optimal flower production

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STEP 4:
 Allow unobstructed sunlight levels through
the top and sides of the greenhouse to reach
the area the tulip bulbs are planted.
 No artificial light is necessary once the
chilled bulbs are planted and exposed to the
right temperatures and normal greenhouse
light levels.
Climate Required for Tulip Cultivation:
 Tulip grown in hills requires a day
temperature of 20-26oC and night
temperature of 5-120C during growth period.
 Tulips are very sensitive to frost.
 The best natural suitable areas in India are
Shimla, Kangra, Kullu, Solan, Sirmour, and
Mandi

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Soil Requirement for Tulip Cultivation: -
 Tulips require 'well-drained light sandy loam soils for
better growth and yield.
 Tulip bulbs on raised beds are recommended.
 heavy soils, adding well-decomposed compost or peat moss
or other organic matter helps in crop growth
 The soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for Tulip cultivation. Avoid
heavy clay soils and poor soils.
Land Preparation for Tulip
Cultivation:
 Land should be prepared by getting the soil
to fine tilth stage and removing any weeds
from previous crops

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Propagation, Planting and Spacing in Tulip Cultivation:
 Tulips are propagated by bulblets and bulbs. They can
also be propagated by seeds.
 October to December is ideal time for planting in
mid-hills at 1,100 to 1,800-meter mean sea level
(m.s.l) and November to December and February
months are ideal for high hill regions which are above
1,800-meter mean sea level (m.s.l).
 The planting pit 2 to 3 times the height of
the bulb. In general, tulip bulbs should be
planted 5 to 8 cm deep at spacing of 15 cm
x 10 cm. Plant 3 to 5 bulbs in 15 cm pot. If
they are intended to grow in pots.
 To get a good crop of flower, bulbs of 10-12
cm size

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Irrigation in Tulip Cultivation:
Irrigation depends on soil type, climate. However,
alternate day irrigation should be carried out in case of
greenhouse and polyhouse cultivation. In case or open
areas, irrigation should be given at weekly interval. Drip
irrigation can be adopted in areas where water is major
problem

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Manures and Fertilizers in Tulip Cultivation: -
 Dry cow manure and compost are excellent organic manures
far Tulip cultivation. Well-rotten farmyard manure (FMY)
3-5 kgm2 should be mixed thoroughly.
 Spraying of micronutrient rich solution Multlplex - 50 ppm
(once or twice) before colour- breaking is beneficial in Tulip
Cultivation.
 The best inorganic fertilizer is a general purpose one such as
NPK 5-10-5, with 5% Nitrogen (N). 10% phosphorus (P)
and 5% potassium (K).

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Pests and Diseases in Tulip Cultivation: -
 Tulip flowers are attacked by thrips. Spraying of Rogor (0.05) controls them effectively.
 Bulb rot is controlled by treating them with Bavistin (0.1,) or Dithane M-45 (0.2%).
 Tulip crop is also infested with aphids. Application of recommended doses of Endosulfan,
Malathion, Aldicarbs is beneficial to control this pest.
 Fusarium infection causes a 'sour' smell from the bulbs and the appearance of a white mould on
tunic.
 Removal of tunic reveals soft infected bulbs. The bulbs, badly damaged by the fungus, become
hollow and light in weight. Soil drenching with 0.2% Benomyl is recommended to control disease.

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Harvest in Tulip Cultivation: -
 When it comes to cut flower harvesting, usually Tulips start
flowering Feb- April in mid-hills and April-June in High-
hill regions.
 The scapes along with two leaves should be cut when 25%-
50%, color develop on flower petals.
 When it comes to bulb harvesting, they should be harvested
when Tulip plant leaves start leaving yellow or 45 days
after flowering
 air-dried in shade Tulip bulbs should be stored at 7-100C for
7-8 weeks during Sept-Oct for proper development of
flower primordia

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Yield in Tulip Cultivation: -
Yield of Tulip cut flowers and bulbs depend
on many factors like cultivar (variety), irrigation,
soil, climate and other flower farming practices.
2.5 Lakh/Acre flower.

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