Whether from the garden or bought: Tulips are the epitome of spring, bringing good cheer and color to your home. When you cut the tulips, however, it’s best to keep a few things in mind. With our tips on care, you can prolong the splendor of flowers.
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What should I consider when buying tulips?
For tulips almost more important than for many other cut flowers: if the basic material is already of inferior quality, the best green thumb is useless, and the flower heads quickly go limp. When buying, make sure that the leaves are nice and juicy green. Also, the heads should not droop and preferably closed, but still colorful. Then you will enjoy the cut flowers longer.
It is best to buy tulips early in the morning. Because if they are in the sun, the flowers quickly hang their heads and wither. To keep them fresh after purchase, it is best to wrap the tulips in damp newspaper. If you plant tulips yourself and cut the flowers for the vase in your own garden, it is also best to do this in the morning. Then the tulip stems are strong and plump.
Tip: Tulips do not like long distances and extended walks. So quickly cut the tulips and then off with them in the vase.
Cutting tulips: This is the right way
Like most other cut flowers, tulips are cut at an angle or at least at a slight angle. This cut allows the flowers to absorb water better and stay fresh longer. When cutting tulips, ideally use a sharp knife. Scissors would bruise the stems and thus the conductive pathways.
Tip: Also, remove all but one or two leaves. Especially the leaves that are in the water would only rob the flowers of water and nutrients.
How often should I cut tulips?
Every two to three days you should cut the tulips again. This will keep the flowers fresh longer and you can enjoy their blooms longer.
Which vases are best for tulips?
In addition to cutting the tulips, it is also important to choose the right vase for the tulip bouquet. What many may not know: Tulips continue to grow in the vase and the bouquet will eventually not find support in vases that are too small. Tall, slender vases are therefore best for tulips. In vases that are too short and bulbous, tulips will quickly hang their heads. As a rule of thumb, you can remember that the ideal vase is best two-thirds as high as the tulips.
How can I prevent tulips from growing in the vase?
The growth of tulips in the vase described above can be influenced by placing the stems only in so much water that the cut ends are covered by about a finger’s width. The more water the tulips get, the more they stretch. However, it should not be too little water either: So be sure to check the water level regularly so the tulips don’t run dry.
Tip: Tulips love it fresh. Therefore, it is best to use cold water. Also, a special nutrient solution for tulips in the flower water prolongs the life of the flowers in the vase.
There is another way to slow down the growth of tulips in the vase: Cut the stems lengthwise with the tip of a sharp knife one centimeter below the flower, or pierce the tulip stem with a thin needle at the appropriate place. This will also prevent tulips from continuing to grow in the vase.
In which location do tulips last longer?
Tulips are little sensitive creatures. They like it:
- bright, but not direct sun
- not near heating
- cool, but no direct draught
If you want to do your tulips some good even after they are cut, put them in a cool place at night. About 12 to 15 degrees Celsius are ideal.
Important: Tulips and daffodils do not get along because daffodils in the vase secrete a slime that clogs the tulips’ conducting vessels. Post-ripening fruit such as apples, plums or nectarines in the immediate vicinity also harm the tulips: the fruit forms a ripening gas (ethylene gas) which causes the tulips to wilt more quickly and reduces the shelf life of the bouquet by a few days.
