Tulips transform Cameron Highlands into nature’s kaleidoscope
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: In the picturesque landscapes of Cameron Highlands in Pahang, tulips — the national flower of Turkey and the Netherlands — have burst into a riot of colors, capturing the hearts of beholders.
With over 2,500 tulips thriving in Malaysian soil, their full bloom is not just a spectacle but a vibrant display attributed to the country’s prevailing higher temperatures.
Lokmanulhakim Basiron, the general manager of the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) station in Cameron Highlands, proudly shared that this marks their third consecutive year of cultivating tulips at the Mardi Agro Technology Park.
The tulips have found an unexpected home in the tropical Malaysian climate and become an annual attraction, drawing unexpected visitors who flock to witness the blooming beauties up close.
Originating from Iran and Turkey, these tulips undergo seed breeding technology led by the Netherlands, and these bulbs are imported from there.
“The Cameron Highlands Mardi Agro Technology Park planted 300 tulips in February 2022 at the Cameron Mini Flower Garden in conjunction with the school holidays.
“In February 2023, we planted 1,500 bulbs, and this month, 2,500 bulbs,” he told Bernama when met at the park.
Lokmanulhakim explained that tulip flowers bloom gradually, displaying colours within a period of five to 10 days after being transplanted into warm soil.
However, they continue to bloom for a duration of two to three weeks, depending on the weather conditions.
He elaborated that the ideal temperature for growing them is below 12 degrees Celsius and the flower has a temperature tolerance limit of up to 29 degrees Celsius.
“Tulips need more direct sunlight either in the morning or evening. They do not do well in high heat. The soil must have good drainage, a neutral to slightly acidic pH between 6 and 7, and be fertile and dry or sandy.
“So mulch such as sphagnum moss is used to control soil temperature and sustain moisture,” he added.
Lokmanulhakim said that after the end of the flowering period, the stems and leaves must wilt naturally and turn yellow or brown before they are removed from the soil. If the leaves are removed while still green, there will be insufficient food in the bulbs to bloom the following year, he said.
“Cleaned tulip bulbs are stored in mesh bags at below 5 degrees Celcius in a cold room for 12 weeks to six months during their dormancy/inactive phase.
“Then they are transferred to Leca (lightweight expanded clay aggregate) balls, a type of medium for rooting, at room temperature for a fortnight. After that the bulbs are placed in a planting medium such as peatgrow for three to four weeks to encourage growth before being transferred to the display site,” he said.
He listed this year’s varieties as Rood (red), Yellow Baby (yellow), Flair (orange mix), Roze (light purple), Paars (dark purple), and Flaming Baby.
In addition to the tulip festival, there is a variety of Mediterranean fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, and strawberries as well as popular flowers such as impatiens, camellias, dahlias, petunias, lilies, and roses. The park serves as a stopover for highland tourism in Cameron Highlands, strategically located near the town of Tanah Rata.