Tulip tips
March 14th, 2008
Being the daughter of a tulip farmer (yes, really) and having grown up on a tulip farm (acres and acres of flowers complete with a Dutch windmill), I know a thing or two about tulips…
Because we’re nearing Spring and tulips are popping up in every flower stand around town, I thought I should write down a few of my best tulip tips.
Buying tulips:
1.) Buy the freshest tulips. Don’t buy tulips that are limp; make sure the stems are thick, plump and strong. (In general, the bigger the stem–the bigger the bulb– the healthier the flower).
2.) Make sure the leaves are tight and curled inward toward the stem. If they are already bending outward, they are not very fresh.
3.) The bud should be closed and on the tighter side, but you should still be able to see the color of the flower.
How to care for them:
1.) Cut ½ an inch from the bottom of the stem and place immediately in cold water. (Remember that the stems will continue to grow in the vase, so you can cut them down to be a bit on the shorter side).
2.) If the flowers came in plastic wrap, you can leave the plastic on for the first couple hours. This will encourage the stems to stay straight instead of bending over. (As soon as you cut the bottom of the stem, the tulip ‘comes back to life’ and will begin to respond).
3.) Leave the vase in a cool spot (not in direct sunlight). You can even place the vase outside during the night (unless it is freezing) for even longer ‘vase life’.
*Don’t ever mix daffodils and tulips in the same vase. The daffodil juice taints the water and will ‘poison’ the tulips!
And apparently all those silly things you’ve ever been told about putting a penny in the water, or adding sugar, really don’t work! Really the most important thing is to buy good, fresh flowers!
See, Dad? I really was paying attention all those years…
-Courtney
Entry Filed under: Home, Housekeeping
7 Comments Add your own
1. Tiffany | March 14th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Just brought some home, 20 beautiful yellow tulips with a pointy tip. Gorgeous, my favorite flower!
2. Esther | March 14th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
As a Dutch girl, my favourite flower cannot be anything else than a tulip… Thanks for these tips, Court!
3. Michela | March 14th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I can’t even imagine growing up on a tulip farm! How beautiful!!!
I just saw concrete and tall buildings.
And btw…does your Dad read babyccino??
cool!
4. sarah | March 18th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
What great advice! I don’t know if you know this one but I was told to prick the stem with a pin just at the base of the flower – apparently this encourages the flowers to move away from one another creating a gorgeous arrangement. We had banks of tulips at our engagement party which were stunning – and the poor florist had pricked each flower!
5. William M. Roozen | March 25th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Hello all. Courtney, I love all your comments and I’m especially happy you paid attention to the Tulip Farmer!! We are very busy at this time of year but I always take the time to check up on your life. You Are me F.O.D. Lots of LOVE from G-Papa
6. terri williamson | May 29th, 2008 at 1:40 am
I am ready to plant my summer flowers and was wondering if it is ok to cut back the tulip stems, or do I need them to turn brown and lay down. They are still quite healthy and green and standing straight up. Please give me any helpful tips on tulips. This was my first year and they were beautiful. Is it the same for dafoddils?
7. Rebecca Carney | February 5th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
My daughter-in-law’s favorite flowers are tulips. I am having a baby shower for her and having tulips as centerpieces. Do you know of a saying about tulips and babies? Thank you.
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