Tips for making your Cut Tulips Last as Long as Possible

Like other soft-stemmed flowers, tulips can last between five to seven days in a vase; but if you take some simple steps to ensure their longevity, they will last longer.

1. Select a bouquet with unopened buds. If you pick a bouquet with tightly-closed blooms, they will last longer than flowers that have already opened.

2. Keep water fresh and sterile. Water should be cool, fresh and changed every couple of days. If it becomes cloudy, change it immediately.

3. Make sure there are no leaves under the water level. Leaves trapped under the surface of the water will rot quickly and contaminate the water.

4. Re-cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. This will create a larger surface area, and helps the flowers take in more water and stay fresh

5. Don’t overcrowd. Make sure your tulips have enough space in their vase!

6. Add flower food. Some flowers come with a small packet of flower food; you should use a small amount each time you change the water. You can also make your own using a combination of sugar, bleach, citrus juice and water.

7. Don’t place them in direct sunlight. Tulips are sensitive to heat, and too much heat can cause them to wilt quicker.

8. Don’t place them next to a bowl of fruit; some fruit produces the gas ethylene, which can cause cut flowers to age more rapidly!

9. If one flower dies, remove it from the vase. Dying flowers can release bacteria as they wilt, which may damage the others.

10. Pick the right vase. You should place the tulips in a narrow-necked vase that is taller than the tulips, to help keep them upright, support the stems, and stop them from drooping.