How To Care For Cut Tulips So They Last Longer
Tulips are beautiful flowers that we all love to use in our decor. Here are easy ways to care for cut tulips and keep them looking fresh longer to create beauty in our homes!
Today I have great tips about care for cut tulips! I love tulips and if you do too you are in good company. So let’s keep them as long as possible! With just a few easy tips you can keep tulips fresh and looking lovely for longer than you think!!!
Tulips can last a really long time when they are cared for properly and today I’m going to share my top tips for keeping tulips fresh so they last as long as possible.
During the period in history called “tulip mania” around 1637 one single tulip bulb sold for 10 times the annual salary of a skilled craftsman. Wow! I can get a bouquet of fresh-cut tulips for under $7.00 at my local grocery store! Today let’s enjoy keeping these glorious cut flowers longer! I’ll show you how!
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SELECTION
When you are shopping for tulips, purchase bunches that are not open yet. In fact, pick the tulips that have tightly closed petals! Once they are opened, they have a limited vase life.
The image above shows tulips I bought that were tightly closed. They looked so graceful and pretty draped over the white pitcher! The next morning they were standing upright!
I’ve also heard to put a couple ice cubes in the water to keep the tulips from opening. If you give this a try let me know how it works?
WATER
Let’s care for cut tulips by giving them plenty to drink! They are thirsty blooms!
Add cold water to the vase and fill it 3/4 of the way up. Mix in flower food and dissolve the food completely.
If you are putting tulips in a big container like the urn above put the tulips in a container suggested below and then put the container in the larger urn etc.
You will want to change the water in the vase at least every other day. Tulip water can get a bit slimy and bacteria filled.
Changing the water will keep them healthy and will extend their lives. Also, if the vase looks a little discolored or if there is anything left on the vase when the water is emptied wash it before replacing the new water.
CUTTING TULIPS BEFORE PUTTING THEM IN A VASE
Before putting tulips in the vase, hold the stems to the outside of the vase to determine how tall they should be. Cut stems at that spot at a 45 degree angle with a sharp knife.
When you change the water every other day, you can give your stems another trim. Cutting at a 45-degree angle creates a straw effect and the flower can drink up the fresh water easily.
Remove any leaves or foliage that is below the water line also. Tulip leaves that are under the water level tend to decompose quite fast. Take off any leaves that don’t look healthy.
LIGHT
Avoid placing a vase of tulips in direct sun or near heat. Tulips will grow toward sunlight and may bend a little when doing so. They are okay in indirect sunlight.
VASE
When choosing a vase for your tulips, select one that is tall. Go with a vase that is at least half as tall as the flower stems.
As you cut the tulips stems down, you can go with a shorter vase over time.
Be sure to wash your vase well before use to remove any bacteria before you arrange your tulips. Make sure all soap is rinsed out of the vase. A clean vase is very important to help your tulips last longer!
LOCATION
Taking care of cut tulips is all about knowing where to put them so they thrive!
Place your arrangements in an area of your home that is free of drafts and not beside heaters, radiators, air conditioners, windows, or stoves. Simple and easy, right?
OTHER
Many people swear that adding a penny to tulip water will make them stand tall. After lots of research, the jury is still out. It’s the copper in pennies that keep them standing tall. Sadly, today’s pennies just don’t have enough copper!
What will help your tulips when they start to get a bit droopy is to stick a pin or a toothpick through the throat ( at the very top of the stem) of a tulip making a small hole. This releases air that gets trapped in the stem and allows water to be absorbed into the tulip. And often this will help revive your beautiful tulips.
We might think we arrange tulips but tulips have a mind of their own. They change and bend and elongate the longer you have them. I actually LOVE all their transitions! The key is to enjoy their artistic beauty and enjoy how they decide to arrange themselves throughout their life in a vase!
Can you tell me what color tulips I like? How about you? What color tulips are your favorite? And if you have any other caring for tulips tips let us know!
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I enjoy tulips any season. Have to admit the whites are my favorites also.
I use the preserve packet that comes with the store tulips AND 3-4 pennies.
I will change the pennies every time I change the water. NO, only changing the pennies keep them standing tall.
I just bought Ebba Wind up 12” Sweet cream Lamb that plays Jesus Loves Me from Amazon. I thought of you singing to your grands. Thanks for all your beautiful posts.
I have used ice cubes for decades!! I think it helps. Also, just recently I have added a bunch of small carnations. That combination extended the life to 3 weeks!
Oh, how pretty Leslie!
Thank you for the tulip tips! I love them but I’ve not had luck with them. I’m looking forward to buying some soon. However, do you have any suggestions about plant food I can buy? I use the packets that come with flowers, but sometimes those run out before the flowers do. I have no idea with to buy. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi Genie, give this a try:https://amzn.to/3DLxfkb
In cool weather, I carry my tulips out in the garage for the night. This really helps.
Great idea’s. I read somewhere to add hydrogen peroxide to the tulip water. I tried it, and some of the blooms are still going strong after about three weeks. I do change the water and trim the stems…but I’m pleased with this trick..Works on other cut flowers. Love all your ideas, and have used quite a few…..
Wow, I have to try that trick!
Thanks for this post it helped me a lot !!! I love tulips pink tulips are my favorite!! Do you like white and yellow tulips? I can’t wait to try the penny trick ! Also do you think aspirin is good flower food substitute?