19 TULIPA Tulips have been cultivated in gardens in the Middle East (Persia) since the 9th century. Turkey brought the first tulip bulbs to Central and Western Europe in the mid-16th century. Holland quickly became the centre of tulip breeding. From the trendy plant, a speculative object (tulip mania) quickly developed, followed by stock market crash in 1637! At present, 1,200 varieties are being propagated in Holland, of which 40 varieties make up more than half of the cultivated area. The greatest importance of the tulip is as a cut flower and garden flower.
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