TulipBloom – SKUAST Achieves Rare Winter Flowering Milestone in Srinagar
TulipBloom – Months before Srinagar’s renowned tulip displays usually brighten the spring landscape, researchers at Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology have successfully produced tulip blooms in the middle of winter, marking a first for the region.
The flowers opened in late December and early January at the university’s research garden in Shalimar, drawing attention within scientific and horticultural circles. The development is being described as a significant advancement for floriculture research in Kashmir, where tulips are traditionally associated with the spring season.
A First for Kashmir’s Floriculture Research
According to Professor Imtiyaz Nazki, who heads the Floriculture Department at Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, the winter bloom was made possible through the introduction of bulb programming and forcing techniques. These methods, widely practiced in parts of Europe, had not previously been tested in Kashmir.
Nazki explained that bulb programming is a scientific process designed to regulate the growth cycle of flower bulbs, allowing them to bloom outside their natural season. “We began this as an experimental initiative,” he said, noting that the team aimed to align flowering with the Christmas and New Year period. The outcome exceeded initial projections.
Of the 5,000 bulbs planted across five different tulip varieties, nearly 70 percent produced flowers. While some bulbs experienced flower abortion, the overall performance was described as encouraging for a first attempt.
How the Bulb Programming Process Works
The bulbs used in the experiment were fourth- and fifth-generation stock originally sourced from Holland and later cultivated in Kashmir. The objective was to determine whether locally grown bulbs could respond effectively to off-season programming under controlled conditions.
Nazki said the process requires specialised infrastructure. Bulbs are placed in temperature-regulated programming chambers for a period ranging from 12 to 18 weeks, and in some cases up to 20 weeks. During this time, they are exposed to a sequence of carefully monitored temperature variations designed to simulate natural seasonal changes.
After completing the programming phase, the bulbs are transferred to a greenhouse or controlled chamber environment where temperatures are maintained between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius. Under these conditions, flowering occurs within approximately 20 days.
Since the tulips blossomed around late December, the programming phase had begun roughly 16 weeks earlier, indicating careful planning and precise timing by the research team.
Expanding Commercial Opportunities
The success of winter flowering could have meaningful implications for Kashmir’s floriculture sector. Tulips, long regarded as a symbol of spring in Srinagar, may now be cultivated for high-demand winter occasions such as Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Demand for fresh flowers typically rises during festive seasons, often commanding premium prices in domestic and regional markets. By extending the flowering calendar, growers could potentially diversify income streams and tap into new commercial windows.
While bulb programming and forcing techniques are standard practice in Holland, where large-scale infrastructure supports year-round flower production, their introduction in Kashmir represents a gradual but important step forward. Nazki acknowledged that scaling up would require investment in cold storage systems and controlled-environment facilities.
“Holland carries out this process at a commercial scale,” he noted, adding that Kashmir’s approach will initially remain measured and research-driven. However, the recent results indicate that expansion is technically feasible.
A Strong Beginning for Future Research
Researchers involved in the project view the experiment as a foundation for further study rather than a final achievement. The early results provide valuable data on bulb performance, environmental controls and varietal response under programmed conditions.
Although some technical challenges remain, including improving bloom consistency and reducing flower abortion rates, the successful winter flowering has demonstrated that tulip cultivation in Kashmir can move beyond traditional seasonal boundaries.
As preparations continue for the region’s annual spring bloom, the winter experiment has already signalled new possibilities for scientific innovation and commercial growth in the Valley’s floriculture landscape.