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March 2001
 It may
seem to be a bit early in the season for tulips, but spring flowers are already
making their appearance at your local florist shop. Late winter is prime
production time for the growers who provide these bulb-bursting beauties for
our enjoyment, and the choices are never more abundant. Some varieties of
tulips have become available year round, but the peak season with the widest
selection is right now. Vase life varies according to conditions, but
you can help keep your tulips living longer by following a few simple tulip
care guidelines:
General Tulips
Care and Handling For Tulips
- recut tulips about 1" from the bottom with a
sharp knife. Cut above the lower white, or etiolated, part of the tulips to
maximize water uptake.
- remove foliage from tulips which may be below the
water line
- rinse tulips to remove any remaining soil, which
can pollute the water
- place tulips into a solution of commercially
prepared flower nutrient and water at room temperature.
- keep tulips in a cool, draft-free environment,
especially at night.
Tulips as well as all spring flowers benefit from
being removed from their arrangements and having their stems re-cut every few
days.
Interestingly, tulips continue to grow and elongate after
they're cut, often stretching toward a light source.
Interesting Facts About Tulips and
Spring Flowers
There are many different types of tulips on the market from which to choose,
including variegated tulips, bi-color tulips, fringed petaled tulips, lily
flowered tulips, and parrot varieties, as well as the so called "peony
flowered" types, which have double the usual amount of petals. "Angelique" is
one such double tulip which has lovely soft pink petals.
For pictures of tulips
and other spring flowers click here.
Tulips look great arranged
with other spring flowers, such as hyacinths, iris, daffodils, anemones, and
freesias. Be careful when combining daffodils or other
Red
Tulips
types of narcissus with other flowers. They release a syrupy sap when they're
freshly cut which is damaging to other blossoms. Always place daffodils in a
separate vase for at least twelve hours after cutting, allowing the sap to
drain before mixing them with other spring flowers.
Even though the
new leaves have yet to emerge on the trees in your neighborhood, you can
introduce a breath of spring to your home by picking up a bouquet of fresh
spring flowers from your local florist today. Better yet, send spring flowers
to someone you love!
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