WACO, Texas (KWTX) – A Central Texas farm is opening for its spring season with far fewer tulips than expected after a stretch of severe weather damaged this year’s crop.
The Robinson Family Farm said a dry season combined with high winds and a hard freeze in January led to an unexpected tulip crop failure — leaving just one row of blooms.
“It’s dry. It’s wilted. And it’s not going to make,” Helen Robinson said.
Even the remaining blooms may not last.
“Even this row probably won’t be here next weekend,” Robinson said.
Tulips are delicate, but the farm has had two successful seasons. This year, Robinson said the farm realized midweek that the crop was a total loss.
“It was stressful because it was really just midweek that we determined this was a total bust,” she said.
While the foliage has grown, Robinson said the bulbs are dried out and many never formed viable blooms.
“Once we started investigating it a little bit more … you can see that tulip bulb flower — that’s never going to make it, unfortunately,” Robinson said.
Recent weather hasn’t helped. Robinson said last weekend’s rain and this weekend’s high winds knocked flowers off some stems.
“We’ve got these that had flowers. But the recent storms blew them off,” she said.
Robinson estimated the farm’s financial loss at $120,000 to $150,000.
“We understand your disappointment, but please understand ours,” Robinson said.
To adapt, Robinson said the farm is partnering with local florists to offer a “build your own bouquet” option. Next weekend, a florist is expected to deliver thousands of tulips for guests to add to their bouquets.
Robinson said she is also looking into switching vendors next year to find tulips and other flowers better suited for Texas’ unpredictable weather.
Despite the loss, the Robinson Family Farm is still open for its spring season. Check out tickets and hours on their website.
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