Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 12: Preparations are underway at Asia’s largest Tulip Garden here, where over eight lakh bulbs of 70 tulip varieties are being planted for next spring’s bloom.
Work on preparing the tulip beds and sowing bulbs has already started, with workers racing against time to ready the garden before the season begins.
Speaking to ‘Excelsior’, Imran Ahmad, Assistant Floriculture Officer at the garden, said they are planting eight lakh bulbs this year, “an increase of one lakh from last year.”
“The display will be one of the best ever to give a further boost to tourism in the Valley,” he said.
He added that the garden will feature 48 new tulip varieties this year, along with repetitions of older ones, taking the total to over 70 varieties.
“We also have a few varieties of hyacinths and daffodils. Besides these, several other flowers will be on display to make the garden more attractive,” he said.
He said a fresh consignment of bulbs from Holland is also expected to arrive soon and will be planted immediately upon arrival. “Those currently being used are remnants of last year’s stock.”
He noted that changing weather patterns have altered the traditional plantation schedule and said that a decade ago, plantation would begin around October 20.
“Now, we start in the second week of November as the soil temperature is more suitable for sowing at this time.”
Ahmad explained that maintaining the Tulip Garden is a year-round operation with its charm and beauty revealed during the spring.
“At the time of the Tulip Show, we are at ease because what we have worked on for 11 months is finally presented to the people,” he said.
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