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TULIPA
SYLVESTRIS AND BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE |
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Given
that Tulipa sylvestris is one of the least threatened tulips
(Don't misunderstand us, it is still a fully protected species in France),
today it is also one of the most visible. |
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So
visible, in fact, that it has even become common, in certain regions
of France, to find this tulip growing alongside the road. The most significant
populations of it, however, have always developed on cultivated ground. |
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There,
under ideal growing conditions, it is not uncommon to see thousands
of flowers open at a time during the first balmy days. |
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However,
it must be noted that all is not so rosy for our tulips. |
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In
fact, some farmers look very negatively on the progressive invasion
of their fields by this innocent plant and prefer to get rid of it,
with the help of a potent herbicide. |
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It
does seem that the tulips attract people who love country bouquets,
and, as such, fields and cultivated crops are subjected to repeated
trampling… |
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But
does that justify the use of products so potent that no tulip can survive
? Is it reasonable to destroy old, sometimes very significant populations
of these plants ? And although this species is protected, let us not forget that the protection laws do not cover any plants growing on cultivated land. We can conclude, regretfully, that laws have their limits and that, all too often, the protection of biodiversity ends where human interests begin. Fortunately, all is not lost. |
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Some
particularly judicious farmers, who understand that the best results
are obtained from respect for the land, have chosen to adopt methods
of agriculture which respect the environment. In doing so, they have
allowed certain vulnerable plants to continue their existence. |
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Tulipessauvages.org
had already taken on the cases of Tulipa angensis and Tulipa
raddii, present in some vineyards. It only remained for us to see
about Tulipa sylvestris. |
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We
went to the region of Tours to photograph a vineyard cultivated according
to the principles of biodynamic agriculture. And there, what a surprise
: Tulipa sylvestris was the uncontested queen! |
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This
stock, the origin of which seems to have been lost in the mists of time,
presented the opportunity for a number of rosy reflections. |
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In
order to find out more, we contacted the winery, which was kind enough
to forward us some documents. |
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The
following, extracted from these documents, allows us to better understand
why and how care lavished on the vines here enables not only the survival
of Tulipa sylvestris, but its proliferation. The wine grower
clearly claims responsibility for the presence of this tulip on the
grounds. In fact, Tulipa sylvestris has become a sort of "mascot,"
which one finds throughout the winery's publications (leaflets, website)
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The
Culture & Treatments |
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After
a progressive introduction, the biodynamic method has been practiced
on the entire vineyard since 1990. This method was created by Rudolph
Steiner at the beginning of the century. It is the object of distinct
specifications, under the supervision of an official body, and the grapes
obtained thereby can be called Demeter.
The soil is worked mechanically according to traditional methods. We plow to cover the vine stocks after the grape harvest. In spring, we proceed with a "decavaillonage," that is, we remove the soil from around the base of the stocks Then, periodically, we remove grass, as needed, with mechanical tools This mechanical weeding is essential, as we never use chemical herbicides on the fields in order to preserve the microbial life of the soil. Organic fertilizers, applied in small quantities, are produced from cow manure and from straw composted for approximately one year. The only pesticides we use to protect the vineyard are Bordeaux pulp (copper sulfate neutralized with lime), powdered sulfur, and plant-based preparations (horsetail, nettle, yarrow millefolium). We have used no acaricides, insecticides or synthetic chemicals since 1988. In this way, we have recreated an ecologically balanced medium where natural predators are once again present. Work of the soil and the vines is carried out according to the various rhythms of the planets, as the vine growers of the last centuries practiced it, more or less consciously. This method of culture, which respects the soil, the plants and the environment, enables us to develop the character of our wines and to keep the authenticity of our local soils |
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Domaine
Huet L'Echansonne |
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