Immense potential for tulip cultivation in state

Ambika Sharma

Tulip, a highly attractive ornamental bulbous flower, has for long been a favourite among flower enthusiasts and the flower industry. 

Though tulip cultivation in the country has been largely limited to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have a huge potential for growing this highly commercial flower.

To commercialise tulip cultivation in Himachal, the scientists of the department of floriculture and landscape architecture from Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, have introduced its 42 cultivars at the university farms. As part of the All-India Coordinated Floriculture Improvement Project, the department had undertaken preliminary work on the flower in the early ’90s.

Some notably introduced varieties are Avignon, Laptop, Purissima, Bright Parrot, Adrem, Apeldoorn elite, Niigata, La Courtine, Adrem, Golden Parade, Purissima, Parade, Parade(sr), Van Der Hoef, Red Impression, Carlton, Candela, Spring-Green, Strong gold, Ile de France, Exotica sur, Fabio etc. These flowers, which are in full bloom at the demonstration block, are a site to watch.

Tulips are spring-blooming perennials that grow from bulbs, with most tulips thriving in colder winter season owing to the long chilling requirement for bulbs. Tulips can be grown in pots, containers, beds, greenhouse and polyhouse and shade net as well. Depending upon the variety, the flower can grow to 10-70 cm and is available in single and multi-colours with different patterns. The flower colour can vary between red, pink, purple, yellow, white etc. They are propagated through bulbs and are highly suitable for growing under hilly temperate regions. However, a programmed bulb can be made to flower in sub-tropical areas also.

Dr Puja Sharma, Dr SR Dhiman, and Dr Bharti Kashyap, scientists of the department of floriculture and landscape architecture are working on the project. They are evaluating different varieties for various growth and flowering parameters to assess their suitability for commercial cultivation in the mid and high-hill of the state. They are working to propagate suitable varieties as well as supplying planting material besides equipping farmers with the technical know-how.

“Owing to their high demand in the market, especially during the wedding and festive season, tulips fetch good returns for farmers. Apart from diversification of the flower industry in the state, farmers have a ready market with limited competition, mainly from farmers from J&K. Tulips make an excellent potted plant, cut flowers and can be used in landscaping. Farmers can also benefit from bulb production,” said Dr YC Gupta, professor and head, department of floriculture and landscape architecture.

Areas between 5,000 to 8,000 metre  above sea level, including Jhanjheli and Seraj regions in Mandi, Bharmour, Tissa and Pangi in Chamba, Chail in Solan, Shimla, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur could be ideal for tulip cultivation. However, at present farmers of Himachal Pradesh are yet to take up tulip cultivation on a large scale due to the expensive planting material. The university plans to produce the planting material on a large scale. Besides, the department will also undertake flower programming, which will help in developing new varieties through hybridisation.