Interview: Dutch tulip industry expert sees growing tulip market in China

THE HAGUE, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) — World Tulip Society Chairman Ibo Gulsen has expressed his optimistic outlook on the expanding potential of the tulip market in China.
Speaking to Xinhua on the sidelines of the World Tulip Summit, a biennial event organized by the World Tulip Society, in The Hague from Oct. 16 to 18, Gulsen noted that China’s demand for tulips has been rising steadily.
“I think the potential of tulips in China is growing every year,” said Gulsen, commenting on the event, which brought together more than 40 industry professionals from countries including the Netherlands, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.
Gulsen explained that while tulips were initially used mainly for landscaping in China, their role has expanded. “Now we see people bringing them inside their homes,” he said. “It’s not just about the traditional red or yellow colors anymore; there’s a shift towards pink and pastel hues.”
This evolution in consumer preferences signifies a growing and deeper interest in tulips, beyond their traditional uses. Gulsen emphasized the need to educate Chinese consumers on tulip cultivation and care to help integrate tulips more fully into daily life.
“Because in the end, a tulip is an ornamental flower that brings beauty into your life and to your house,” he said.
The chairman also highlighted the potential of aligning tulip sales with traditional Chinese celebrations, such as the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival.
He pointed out that tulips are already very popular during the Spring Festival because their natural growing cycle allows them to bloom just in time for the Chinese New Year.
Additionally, for the Mid-Autumn Festival, flower bulbs from the Southern Hemisphere, particularly those grown in New Zealand, can be timed to bloom in September and October, coinciding with the festival, he said.
“We’ve already held several major flower shows using these bulbs,” he noted, adding that it proves that even on Oct. 1st, blooming tulips could be in China.
Gulsen also noted that the cooler autumn weather in China allows tulips to thrive, helping them stay fresh longer.
“Tulips like the cold, so the cooler it is, the longer they will last and (for people to) enjoy,” he added. ■