"black" tulips

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by miraflores, Apr 9, 2016.

  1. miraflores

    miraflores Total Gardener

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    I have planted what I thought they were "black" tulip bulbs, but now that they are about to bloom I see a hint of purple tinge here and there...(I wouldn't be that keen on purple tulips). On the pack, do they mean "deep purple" when they say "black"?
     
  2. BeeHappy

    BeeHappy Total Gardener

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    • NigelJ

      NigelJ Total Gardener

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      @miraflores Queen of the Night is probably the darkest tulip. Under slightly dull conditions it appears black, in bright light especially from behind they appear more purple as in the picture above.
      It's not possible to have truly black flowers, very dark purple is the best nature can do as we see the light not absorbed by the flower but reflected from or coming through the petals. True black is an absence of light and tends to be very dull and relies on the surface structure to prevent reflection of any light falling on it.
       
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      • miraflores

        miraflores Total Gardener

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        should I trust you, even though you are wearing a handkerchief over your head...:pcthwack: :huh: ?
         
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        • BeeHappy

          BeeHappy Total Gardener

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          Its the lovely @NigelJ calling himself the MAD!!! scientist :rolleyespink: thats more concerning :whistle: @miraflores :heehee:
           
        • NigelJ

          NigelJ Total Gardener

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          @miraflores The handkerchief on the head is so I know I'm on holiday.
          @BeeHappy I am a scientist and more than a little insane at times so Mad Scientist.
           
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          • longk

            longk Total Gardener

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            Nigel is correct, black is not possible in plants. The closest that I've seen is this Pansy that I grew from some Suttons seed many years ago.................
            [​IMG]
             
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            • miraflores

              miraflores Total Gardener

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              the first tulip has bloomed today and it is exactly that dark shade like in Beehappy's pic. :hapfeet:Lovely shade!
              I had planted many bulbs in the same pot, thinking that almost nothing would grow.

              In fact they all grew :yikes:, albeit very tightly, and, now, I don't dare to disturb them.

              All being well next year each one will have his own pot, so they will have more space.
              The funny thing is that one of them is by itself in a pot and it is exactly the same size as the others.
              Will the blooms increase in size as time goes by?
               
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              • HarryS

                HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                I have never seen a flower that black . Now I would call that black not a very deep maroon or purple.
                 
              • longk

                longk Total Gardener

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                I think so too. :biggrin:
                 
              • miraflores

                miraflores Total Gardener

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                my pride and joy...yes they are crowded, but I never expected that they would all bloom!

                t2.JPG t1.JPG
                 
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                • NigelJ

                  NigelJ Total Gardener

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                  P1020277.JPG P1020276.JPG
                  These are the same flower taken at the same time, the top one lit from the front the bottom one lit from behind.
                   
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