Tulipa Orca

The 'Orca' Early Double Tulip is a variety widely used for cut flowers. The colour of the flower changes as it blooms, evolving from pale honey to almost mandarin orange as it opens up like a water lily. It also has a very pleasant fragrance. Blooms brightly in April-May. Perfect for bouquets.

The 'Orca' Tulip belongs to the Lily family. Originally a horticultural species, it is now classified in the group of 'Early Doubles', which are characterised by flowering at approximately the same height. 'Orca' is a sport of the famous 'Monte Carlo' Tulip and reaches a height of 45 cm (18in) when in bloom. Perched on stems well above the broadly lanceolate leaves, the flowers are fully double, fragrant, open cup-shaped, and long-lasting. Flowering takes place in April-May, in the heart of the tulip season.

Plant the bulbs in autumn, from September to December, at a depth of 15 cm (6in), 10 cm (4in) apart in ordinary, slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline, loose, well-worked, and well-draining soil. Never add poorly decomposed manure or compost to the planting soil, as this could cause the bulbs to rot. The 'Orca' tulip thrives in moist to dry soil, in a sunny or semi-shaded location. After flowering, it is best to remove the seed heads to prevent the plant from becoming exhausted.

Double early tulips are popular for their wide range of colours and sturdy and resistant flowers, suitable for flower beds and bouquets. They are among the most widely planted varieties, unmatched for bringing spring colours to pots or sunny gardens. Remember to consider height and flowering period when designing your flower beds, as these parameters can vary significantly from one cultivar to another. It is a good idea to plant a few extra bulbs for beautiful long-lasting cut flowers. 'Orca' is a good cultivar for winter forcing, making it ideal for creating lovely bouquets to give on Valentine's Day.

About botanical species: Tulip species are found in most parts of the Old World, from Western Europe to China and Japan, through Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, and Central Asia. Their distribution area also includes North Africa and the Indian subcontinent. The centre of diversity for the genus is in the Pamir and Hindu Kush mountains and the steppes of Kazakhstan.

There are various wild species, many of which are endangered. They are either large tulips found in cultivated fields, the most well-known being the Agen Tulip (Tulipa agenensis), or small tulips found in wooded areas or among rocks in the mountains. In cultivation, these are called "botanical tulips," and one of the most common is the Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris), which often used to grow sheltered by vines and whose subspecies australis is known as the Southern Tulip.