Aphids «created» the most expensive tulip
In the past, multicolored tulips were particularly valuable. This gave the growers the craziest ideas and they started to experiment.
The tulip mosaic virus was unknown
When prices went crazy during the Dutch tulip fever, tulips came in many colors and their petals were variegated, streaked and striped.
Unfortunately, these color features were often the result not of breeding success but of the tulip mosaic virus, transmitted by aphids.
Unpredictable breeding lines, weak tulips
Accordingly, breeding lines were unpredictable.
This was all the more so because the reason for the sudden color mutation
was unknown to the breeders of the time, and tulips affected by the virus were weaker and less consistent in their color pattern than healthy tulips.
Breeders experiment with pigeon droppings
Although horticulturists did not know the real reason for these color variations,
they tried to voluntarily produce new species. For example, they dipped the tulip bulbs in ink or sprinkled the flowerbeds with all kinds of colored powders, pigeon droppings and mortar dust.
The most famous (and also the most expensive) of these diseased tulips was at that time the «Semper Augustus».
More about the most popular spring flower
All my worldly goods for a single tulip bulb
Horrendous real estate prices? We know that. But for tulip bulbs? Read what was paid for a single bulb at the height of the tulip mania.
Tulips - a flop when fried, tops in the vase
What did a merchant do when he was delivered unknown onions in the 16th century? He ate them, which was a mistake. Because they were tulip bulbs.
About colors
Tulips are not just tulips. Because depending on the color, they have different messages and effects.
Aphids «created» the most expensive tulip
In the past, multicolored tulips were particularly valuable. This gave the growers the craziest ideas and they started to experiment.
Tulips stand for new life, immortality and love
Initially, tulips represented new life, love and tenderness. No wonder then, that today they are also given as messengers of love.
Tulips intrigue us again and again
We are all familiar with tulips. But there are also mysteries. For example, why do they continue to grow in the vase? And why do they close their flowers at night?
Wild tulips of Valais
Do you fancy wild tulips, which are nowhere else to be found or are at least extremely rare? In the canton of Valais there are two species of wild tulips.