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Parrot tulips in appearance resemble the plumage of exotic birds, hence the unusual name. The variegation of color and unusual shapes of these varieties delight the eye and allow you to create a bright island on the site. Parrot tulips arose due to gene mutations, their ancestors were late-flowering varieties.
Description of parrot tulips
Varieties of parrot tulips are classified as highly ornamental crops. They are distinguished by a long thin stem and large flower. The height of the shoot varies between 35-55 cm, the bud reaches 12 cm in length and 20 cm in diameter (when the flower opens).
The best varieties of parrot tulips
The variety of parrot tulips allows you to choose a variety that satisfies the needs of any gardener. The most popular varieties:
- Tulips Apricot Parrot have pinkish-peach buds. The height of the stem does not exceed 40 cm. Flowering time is April. This parrot variety is used not only for landscaping. The flowers are suitable for cutting.
- Black Parrot belongs to the monochromatic parrot species.It has a noble purple color and openwork petals. The length of its stem is about 45 cm. The flowers are used for cutting. The flowering period occurs at the end of April - the first days of May.
- In the parrot variety Red Parrot the buds are painted in carmine-red shades. Its height ranges from 40-65 cm. It belongs to the late-flowering parrot species.
- Of the two-color varieties, the most popular Estella Reijnveld (Estella Rijnveld). Small buds (up to 7 cm in length) are full of crimson-red and creamy-white stains. The culture blooms in May. The parrot variety is used in landscape design, as well as for cutting. Tulips grow in well-lit flower beds, but partial shade is also suitable for them.
- Yellow-red bicolor parrot variety Texas Flame (Texas flame) reaches a height of 45 cm. Tulip flowers are cup-shaped, heavily dissected, and have a weak aroma. The variety blooms for a long time, mid-late.
Planting and caring for parrot tulips
Decorative crops require special attention. To plant parrot tulips, you need to choose a suitable site and provide proper care.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
The soil should be loose and fertile. For parrot varieties, the area should be open, with good lighting, but without drafts. The soil is first dug up to the depth of a shovel and the weeds are removed.
Landing rules
When planting, maintain a distance between holes of at least 20 cm. The bulbs are buried 10-15 cm into the ground, covered with soil and lightly crushed down. The area is watered and mulched with peat or straw.
Watering and fertilizing
Parrot tulips need regular watering. If it rains rarely, the ground is moistened at the rate of 20 liters per 1 m².
Water at intervals of 2 times a week
After flowering, the soil is moistened for two weeks, then watering is stopped.
In the spring, after the leaves appear, the crop can be fed with any mineral fertilizer. After flowering, dried parts of plants must be removed. Leaves are pruned only after they have completely yellowed and died.
Reproduction of parrot tulips
Tulips are propagated at home with the help of children. To do this, carefully dig up the area with parrot varieties, removing the bulbs. The procedure is carried out after the foliage has dried (in August).
Daughter specimens are separated and inspected for rot and spotting.
Damaged bulbs are discarded, large and healthy ones are sent for storage in a dry and cool room.
Planting of baby parrot tulips is carried out in the fall, but if the deadline is missed, a spring procedure is also allowed.
Seeds collected independently are not used for planting, since it will not be possible to obtain an ornamental crop that matches the varietal characteristics.
Diseases and pests of parrot tulips
Viral and fungal diseases pose a danger to parrot tulips. Among them are:
- White rot. The causative agents are viruses. The disease is most often recorded in regions with acidic soil.The virus can be triggered by excessive watering or high humidity caused by precipitation. The disease can be detected in the spring, when some of the planting material does not germinate or produces small sprouts that quickly turn yellow and die. Having dug up damaged plants, you can see bluish-gray spots on the bulbs, while the roots will appear completely healthy. White rot can affect the neck and growing point. In this case, you can notice a whitish coating, which soon begins to turn brown. The plant dies, and the fungal spores continue to live in the soil for 5 years.
- White striping. Occurs on acidic soils with excessive nitrogen content. It affects flowers and leaves of plants, causing dwarfism and the appearance of white stripes.
- Botrytial rot. Its appearance is caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea. The bulbs darken, becoming brown in color and soft, and black spots consisting of mushroom mycelium can be identified on them. Tulips germinate poorly or do not appear at all. The emerging sprouts are sluggish, weakened, they quickly break and die. The appearance of the disease is promoted by high humidity or late planting.
- August disease (necrotic spot) most often affects early flowering crops, but can also occur on parrot tulips. It is caused by the tobacco necrosis virus. Infection occurs when the bulbs are mechanically damaged. The disease can be suspected by longitudinal brown streaks, as well as by twisted and drooping stems. When examining the bulb, you can notice putrid brownish areas on it. Daughter bulbs and children are affected; the disease does not spread to neighboring plants.
- Fusarium. The causative agent is a fungus that activates at temperatures above 20°C and high humidity. A sign of infection is the coloring of the roots in a yellow-brown tint, as well as poor flowering and shredding of flowers.
- Gray rot. Its appearance is associated with fungi. Rainy and cool weather is a provoking factor. The disease can be identified by deformed buds and twisted stems. When examining the bulb, you can notice gray-yellow spots of varying sizes on it.
To prevent the development of diseases, the following recommendations must be followed:
- Carefully inspect the dug up bulbs. If stains, cuts or other defects are identified, carry out rejection. Before planting, recheck the material for visible damage.
- Storage should be carried out in cool rooms where the air temperature is 15-19 ° C and humidity does not exceed 60%.
- 2 weeks before planting, the bulbs are treated with a solution of Fundazol, Benlat.
- Immediately before planting in the ground, parrot tulip bulbs are pickled in formaldehyde (1%) for 5-6 hours.
- For cultivation, you should choose sunny and well-ventilated areas.
- Plantings should not be allowed to thicken; excess bulbs should be dug up and planted, maintaining a distance of 20 cm between adjacent plants.
- If the soil in the area is too acidic, liming is carried out periodically.
- If diseased bulbs are detected on a site, this area is not used for growing tulips for 5 years. If it is not possible to allocate another flowerbed for parrot tulips, disinfect the soil with a formaldehyde solution. To treat 1 m² you will need 10 liters of 1.5% composition.Then the soil is covered with film or spunbond.
Dangerous pests include:
- Root mite, damaging the bulbs of parrot tulips. Warm weather (25°C) and high air humidity (more than 75%) contribute to the proliferation of the pest. Unfavorable conditions lead to the fact that the tick enters the resting stage, but does not lose its viability. To combat it, various methods are used: heat treatment of the bulbs, sprinkling with chalk, etching in Keltan solution, spraying with Rogor.
- Greenhouse aphid damages foliage, shoots and peduncles of parrot tulips. It is also a carrier of viral diseases. To combat aphids, chemical sprays are used. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to plant pyrethrum and other insecticidal crops around the perimeter of the flower bed.
- Onion hoverfly larvae affects the bulbs of parrot tulips. To combat them, use a solution of karbofos or heat treatment of planting material. Deep digging of soil on the site in the autumn is also effective.
- Purple owl. To combat it, dust the lower part of parrot tulips with mothballs.
- Khrushchev larvae. You can get rid of them by deep digging the soil.
- Wireworm. To eliminate wireworms that damage the bulbs of parrot tulips, it is enough to spread bait (pieces of potatoes, beets) around the perimeter of the area. Adding ammonium nitrate to the soil helps reduce the number of larvae.
Photo of tulips parrot
Territory design sometimes causes difficulties for novice gardeners. Photos of parrot tulips in the landscape will help with ideas for creating unusual colorful flower beds.
Tulips of parrot varieties can grow not only in open areas, but also in special flowerpots
Bright flowers can decorate the shore of any body of water
A circular planting where different tulips alternate looks unusual.
For parrot varieties, good neighbors will be:
- conifers, which will not only highlight the beauty of flowering plants, but will also provide them with protection from the wind;
- blueberries and forget-me-nots will create a contrast of wealth and modesty that is pleasing to the eye;
- crops with decorative foliage (euphorbia).
Parrot tulips can be planted in garden beds, flower beds, special containers, and open areas.
Conclusion
Parrot tulips are extremely beautiful both in a flowerbed and in a vase. They are grown to decorate the territory, as well as to create colorful bouquets. Propagated using bulbs on the site and in the greenhouse. With proper care, seedlings practically do not get sick.
