"It's no easy decision, we sure lose quality. Normally we top at 100 percent blossoming, but now we're only at 70 - 80 per cent. The bulb will yield less, I estimate 1,000 euros per hectare."
But he had no other choice, thinks Simon Pennings, tulip grower in the Bollenstreek (Bulb area, the Netherlands). Together with some colleague growers he started topping tulips ahead of schedule, last weekend. Regarding the measures by the government, 'don't go to crowded areas', 'keep distance from each other', way too many people showed up.
On the one hand, growers feel responsible for the health of their staff and the visitors. They don't want trampled fields, either. On the other hand, you'd think his interest is the bulb, and the social order is the interest of the law enforcer. "But we had no choice," says Simon, who felt forced into a split. "It was chaos. The police was there with drones, megaphones and what not, and yet people kept on coming. Plus, we have to have access, too, it would be difficult for us if roads would get blocked. This costs money, but we do really make a statement. At least for this year, it's simply over."
The topping of the tulips happens every year. When the tulip has had enough sunlight, its head goes off. Via the leafs, the tulip gets food for the bulb, but it doesn't make seed anymore. Some tulips, especially the heavier ones with thin stems, are topped around this time anyways, in some cases even before the real blossoming starts. These flowers would get top-heavy otherwise, which causes the flowers to snap and that kills the bulb.
Topping tulips
Not everything has been topped, but the fields with the most shades of colour have. In other growing regions, growers may not have to take these measures, it's just the case that this region gets a lot of tourists and day visitors. Greenport Duin- en Bollenstreek knows that too, last weekend they issued a statement where, next to a warning to keep a meter and a half distance, they pointed to the website Enjoy the Flower Fields. On this website, the industry shares all kinds of videos of the most beautiful fields - and now of the topping, too. "I'd like to repeat that message", concludes Peter. "Dutch radio broadcast Radio 538 just called me and I repeated it there, too. It's really worth checking it out, they made it a truly beautiful series."