TULIP
MANIA

LEIDEN

Discover the hidden life in the soil!

Bulb of (soil)biodiversity!

by artist Rafael Martig

What do you expect to see when artist and biologist, Rafael Martig, converts the biodiversity research in today’s tulip cultivation into a 3-dimensional work of art? Rafael has painted a ceramic tulip bulb in the theme of Tulip Mania Leiden. This special work of art is full of biodiversity and is on display in the bulb vitrine greenhouse of the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden. Look at the sphere from all sides and recognize Leiden's iconic monuments and places. See how Rafael has painted the difference between traditional (pesticide use) and organic tulip cultivation. Read here what can be seen on the bulb.

The Tulipa Masterpeace tulips in March 2022. Research into the effect of different soils on the biodiversity and growth of the tulips started in the fall 2021.

Tulip Mania planter experiment

at the Hortus Botanicus Leiden

Parallel to the citizen science project, Tulip Mania Leiden has set up a more controlled experiment at the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden. The growth of the Tulipa Masterpeace tulips are being examined in eleven planters with different soil compositions: the organic soil of John Huibert's flower bulb business, de soil used in Leiden in public gardens, and sand as a control. Each type of soil is subjected to three different kind of treatments before planting the bulbs. After the end of the tulip growth soil samples around the tulip bulb are taken and using metagenomics the biodiversity in the soil will be mapped. More>

After taking out all the tulip bulbs, in the fall of 2023 daffodils were planted in the planters. In spring 2024 some remaining Tulipa Masterpeace bulbs are growing between the daffodils.

Start TULPENMANIE Leiden

Tulip Mania Leiden officially started on October 30, 2021 by planting tulip bulbs in the courtyard of BplusC on Nieuwstraat in Leiden. It was a festive opening with a speech by councilor Ashley North and specially baked tulip cakes.

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2021-10-30 133509 Tulpenmanie-project ©Esmee van den Berg.jpeg

Councilor Ashley North (l) and initiator of Tulpenmania Leiden, Dr. Leonie Kaptein from "DNA in Beeld".

Tulip Mania Leiden

Leiden was the "European City of Science" in 2022. As a contribution to that year, DNA in Beeld along with Leiden Center for Applied BioSciences started a citizen science project "Tulip Mania Leiden" with the goal of researching hidden life in the soil and drawing attention to the importance of a healthy soil. A more controlled experiment has also been set up at the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden.

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Art and Science

To involve more citizens in the project, Tulip Mania Leiden views the role of art as an important bridge to communication about science. Art and science are both used to better understand and describe the world around us. Art and science coming together is ultimate creativity! Tulip mania Leiden collaborates with artist/biologist Rafael Martig and American artist Anna Fine Foer.

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Activities Tulip Mania

Tulpenmania Leiden is very active in and around Leiden! Lectures in the Tulip Museum "de Zwarte Tulp", the Hortus Botanicus and BplusC. Presentations during, among others, the Night of Discoveries and Earth Day. Interview at Radio Weetlust and participation in the TV program "Year of the Garden" and much more! Tulip mania Leiden does everything possible to spread the message of the importance of biodiversity in the soil.

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