Yellow tulip turned red?

[fireflies]

A friend of mine has shown me this red tulip. She had planted tulips of bright yellow color for about 7 years ago. Of course, they had come up yellow every year, but this year, one of them turned red. Why is this so?

[Luna]

I don't know if this works for tulips, but I know some plants that actually can take on the color of a nearby flower, especially if it's a similar kind of plant. I've seen a white bougainvillea with purple spots because the bougainvillea next to it is purple.

Now I know some flowers can change color, depending on the soil's chemistry. Hydrangea flowers change color, it's blue if the soil's pH is acid, pink if it's alkaline or neutral. I'm not sure if that'll be applicable with tulips though. You can get your soil tested to make sure.

[cococrab]

Do you think its pollination? hmm...

[cosmic_girl]

Are there any gardens nearby that have tulips planted as well? If it's pollination, it's possible that bees may have gotten some pollen from other colored tulips. The soil's pH is also a plausible theory but as far as I know, tulips have strong colors and are rarely influenced by other plants.

I did read that sometimes a virus in the soil can create streaks in the flower's color, but I think if you have that, it isn't a good sign.

[Sevie]

I too have yellow tulips, they too have been yellow for the last several years. Last spring, and this spring I had the same tulip pop up with only one red petal. It isn't completely red though, it starts off yellow and then fans out to red. It is interesting, and I too have always wondered how it happens. Just something beautiful I guess

[starcandy]

I don't think it's something to worry about, especially if it happens just once. I think if it happens to just one flower, it's ok. But if it's odd streaks and all, I think you might want to check for viruses or strains in the soil.