Tulip season is upon us!
As the weather turns a little drearier here in Melbourne, a bunch of vibrant tulips make the perfect gift for any friend or family member––and why wouldn’t they?
Tulips are low maintenance, don’t have a strong scent (ideal for those who are sensitive to fragrances) and they’re stunning to look at.
But like all flowers, tulips have a few needs of their own to address if we want them to last as long as possible.
Here are a few of our tips for taking care of your cut tulips.
The perfect vase
Did you know that tulips don’t stop growing after they’re cut? They may grow up to 5cm more in your vase, which means that you’re going to need a tall, narrower type vase that comes to about half the height of the stems. Not only will a taller vase accommodate the extra growth, but the narrowness will keep the tulips from drooping over time. It’s a good idea to trim your tulips fairly regularly, as this will also help with avoiding the dreaded droop!
Heat is a no-no
While tulips do need a fair bit of sunshine to grow and open, if they’re left in the sun too often they’re going to wilt. In fact, any source of heat can be damaging to the tulips and cause them to wilt faster than you’d like, so it’s good to avoid heaters, radiators, electronics and direct sunlight. Try and find a cool spot that’s away from direct heat or light––your tulips will thank you for it!
Plenty of water
Tulips are thirsty flowers, so be prepared to keep them well hydrated. Make sure to check the water level and top it up daily and for maximum vase life, change the water every 1-2 days. Flower food is not important when it comes to tulips, just keep them well watered and they’ll be happy as can be.
Trim the stems
When you first get your tulips home, cut the stems on an angle before placing them in the vase. The stems act like straws to suck up the water, and cutting on an angle increases the surface area where water is being sucked in. You can also re-cut the stems when you change the water, which will keep the tulips sucking up water and help them stay alive for longer.
Pair them with care
Tulips are a fave for bright, vibrant bouquets with all their gorgeous colours, but make sure you do some research on the flowers you’re pairing them with. Tulips are particularly sensitive to flowers in the Narcissus family, especially daffodils. They let out a substance that will actually cause your tulips to wilt faster. While tulips look incredible in a vase on their own, if you want to pair them with something else, go for varieties of lilies, gerberas or roses.
If you follow all these tips, your tulips are likely to last about a week after they open.
Make sure to take a photo of your bunch and tag @bloomcollege on Instagram to be featured in our stories!