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Sat 19 Mar, 2016 10:22 am
I read on the D. Landreth Seed Company web site under the history of Tulip bulbs, "Turkish tulips with their etiolated petals, known as The Istanbul Tulip, eventually disappeared as well – with a few exceptions. Very rarely, even in 20th and 21st century Europe and America, an Istanbul Tulip will bloom in a drift of European style tulips. Usually when this happens it is the bulb of a parrot tulip which reverts back to the exotic form. The Dutch call these reversions, Tulipa dief, tulip thieves."
I am writing a novel about Ottoman Istanbul and its tulips, and am wondering if there is anyone that you know of who is currently trying to breed tulips back to the original Ottoman Istanbul tulips? Or if anyone has, if it's available to buy.
Thank you very much, any help would be appreciated!