It’s spring! How do tulips last longer? Tips and tricks

The colorful beauty of spring flowers – such as tulips – usually helps against the gloomy weather. They will be available in stores from January and are available in countless colors and shapes. There are a few simple tips to preserve the flowers, scent and colors of the popular lily family for as long as possible.

Tulips are often sold in bundles in supermarkets and discount stores. The buttons are still properly closed. After a few days in the warm apartment, the buds gradually open and the flowers unfold. To prevent it from dying again within a week or two, place the tulip bouquet in a cool, shady spot. Direct sunlight and heat accelerate wilting.

It is even better to put the tulip bouquet and vase outside overnight. In spring there are usually very low or even icy temperatures, which also preserves the flowers. If you don’t have a balcony or terrace, you can also place the vase in the basement.

The commercially available tulips often grow to about 30 centimeters in length. After purchase, you should shorten the stems slightly. It is best to cut off the bottom white part completely. This can be a maximum of three centimeters. The cut must be straight. It is best to use a sharp, clean knife.

A tip: a narrow, tall vase provides a better stand. The stems then fall apart less and the tulips are less likely to droop their heads.

You can always cut the stems a little. If the tips look rotten, brownish or mushy, you should remove at least that part of the plant. That is not problematic. Because even in the vase, tulips can grow up to ten centimeters.

It is important to always cut the tulips straight and not at an angle. Mowing at an angle promotes growth.

Do not use scissors to shorten. It pinches the end of the stem and this hinders water absorption. A knife, on the other hand, provides a clean cutting edge. The tulip is less affected and dies less quickly.

When it comes to tulips, the less water there is in the vase, the longer they last. Because tulips feel that water is rare. This means they absorb less and grow more slowly. So fill the vase only a few centimeters with water.

It is best to change the water every one or two days. Rainwater is ideal, by the way. But the lily family also tolerates very soft water well.

There are also tips that promote the wilting of tulips, even if they promise otherwise. This includes, for example, adding sugar to the water. However, the carbohydrates cause tulips to wilt more quickly. A copper coin or potato peels are also probably more harmful.

A fruit basket can also ensure that cut flowers – including tulips – die more quickly. The reason is the ripening gas (ethylene) that many types of fruit emit.

The right flower neighbors are also important. You should not put daffodils and tulips next to each other. Because both encourage each other to wither.

Only use thoroughly cleaned vases; rinsing is not enough. Because this does not remove the rotting bacteria.

If you place your tulip bouquet in a cool, partially shaded or shady spot, provide fresh water and the right environment, you can enjoy the colorful flowers for a long time. And: Make sure the water level is low and do not add sugar or other substances to the water.