Organization of spring botanical multi-day tours for tulips of Kazakhstan -
The best time to observe the tulip bloom in Zhambyl region -
The tulip of Zinaida (Tulipa zenaidae) is one of the rarest and most amazing representatives of wild tulips. Its delicate, graceful pastel-colored flowers adorn the steppes and foothills in early spring, creating an atmosphere of comfort and harmony. This type of tulip is not only beautiful, but also has an important ecological significance, being part of the unique steppe ecosystems. The tulip was first described by A.I. Vvedensky back in 1935, and named after Zinaida Petrovna Bochantseva, a famous botanist who made a significant contribution to the study of the flora of Central Asia and specifically the tulips of Kazakhstan. This type of tulip is characterized by its modest size and delicate flowers, which often grow in small groups.
The Zinaida tulip blooms in early spring, usually in April. The flowering period lasts about two weeks. The flowers open at sunrise and close, curling into a bud in the evening, creating the feeling that they are "sleeping". Watching the flowering of this unique type of tulip is a real pleasure for lovers of flowers and nature.
How to find see and view -
The Zinaida tulip is an endemic species and grows exclusively on the territory of Kazakhstan, the south of the Zhambyl region, the Kyrgyz mountain Range.
Information -
For lovers of nature and photography, Zinaida tulip is a real find. In the spring, our company organizes special farmhand photo tours and excursions to the places of mass flowering of these tulips. During such tours, participants not only enjoy the beauty of blooming tulips, but also learn a lot about their ecology and protection. Such trips often include observing flowers in their natural habitat, lectures from botanists and ecologists, and photo shoots against the backdrop of picturesque landscapes. We adhere to the principles of responsible tourism and encourage all guests to take care of nature. It is forbidden to pluck flowers – they must remain in nature for further reproduction and conservation of biodiversity.
The Zinaida tulip, like other wild tulips, has played an important role in the breeding of modern varieties. It is highly resistant to drought and cold, which makes it a valuable genetic resource for breeding new ornamental varieties. Thanks to this species, varieties with rich shades and interesting petal shapes have been created. It is believed that the Zinaida tulip was used in breeding work back in the 19th century. Some sources indicate that its wild forms could be grown in botanical gardens in Europe and Asia. Today, it continues to attract the attention of scientists and breeders.
Zinaida tulip is not just a flower, but a symbol of the fragile beauty of steppe nature. Its flowering reminds us of how important it is to protect the world around us. If you want to see this miracle with your own eyes, plan a spring trip to the steppes of Kazakhstan – it will be unforgettable!
Detailed information -
The bulb of the Zinaida tulip has an ovoid shape and reaches a diameter of up to 2 cm. It is covered with black leathery scales, which are densely pubescent from the inside, at the tip. The stem of the plant grows up to 15-30 cm in height, it is naked and flexible. There are usually three leaves, they are slightly bluish. At the beginning of flowering, the leaves are tightly closed, and later they become spaced, while they are shorter than the flower. The lower leaf is oblong, up to 3-4 cm wide, and the upper one is lanceolate. The flower of the Zinaida tulip is broadly cup-shaped, its height reaches 5-6 cm. The color of the flower is bright and contrasting: the outer leaves of the perianth are red with a narrow yellow border on the outside, and bright yellow on the inside. The inner leaves of the perianth are yellow on both sides. The base of the flower is decorated with a small black hexagonal spot. The filaments of the stamens are black in the lower part and yellow in the upper part, the anthers are also yellow. A red-flowered form is often found, completely devoid of yellow color, but with a clearly defined black spot at the base. The tulip fruit is 3.5 cm long and almost 2 cm wide, containing up to 218 normally developed seeds. Reproduction takes place by seed method. Flowering begins in mid–April and lasts until mid-May, and fruiting occurs in June-July. The Zinaida tulip prefers fine-grained and gravelly slopes, often with thickets of shrubs, in the lower belt of the mountains. This species is endemic to the Kyrgyz Mountain Range and is found only in the south of the Zhambyl region of Kazakhstan, as well as within Kyrgyzstan. The tulip is rarely found in culture and collections. It has been tested in the botanical gardens of St. Petersburg, Moscow and Stavropol. The plant feels most stable in Bishkek and Tashkent. In Almaty, specimens transferred from nature by bulbs bloom for up to 10 years, gradually falling out. Individuals grown from seeds bloom in the 5th year of life. The plant is very responsive to agrotechnical care: with proper care, all its organs increase, and sometimes 2-3 flowers appear on one stem. There is no information about the use of the tulip in breeding yet, but it is promising for landscaping, especially for rock gardens. The species is recommended for inclusion in the second edition of the Red Book of Kazakhstan. Unfortunately, there are no protected areas within its range, which makes this species particularly vulnerable.
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