Flower Gardens

» Joni Rose - Hi Barb,

Hi Barb,

I don't see a column for flower arranging so I thought I'd post this for fellow flower lovers.

I was told a great tip for keeping cut tulips from fading fast in a vase and it really works!

You put the cut ends in boiling water for about 15 seconds (I was steaming veggies over bamboo steamers at the time and used the bottom water). Then put the flowers in a vase with pennies and either flower preservative (I used some leftover xmas tree preservative) sugar or pop.

I was given the flowers on Sat and they are still fully upright and are looking like they did when I first got them!

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» Barbara Nicholson Bell - Hi Barb,

In response to Hi Barb,
posted by Joni188:

I'm smacking my forehead right now because I bought tulips on Friday for my Easter centerpiece - forgot about the pennies - and they were spent by Sunday morning and had to be tossed out.

Thanks for the reminder!

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» Cottage_Garden - Keep Cut Tulips Fresh

In response to Hi Barb,
posted by Joni188:

Great idea! I love-love-love tips!!! Thanks!!!!!

Keeping them cool and out of direct sunlight and starting with really fresh ones probably helps, too.

-- posted by Cottage_Garden

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» Joni Rose - Hi Barb,

In response to Hi Barb, posted by bici:

Don't think pennies alone will do the trick...I really think the boiling water on the ends is the real trick. Weird, but works! My tulips still look good!!!!

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» Cottage_Garden - freshness

In response to Hi Barb,
posted by Joni188:

Joni, were these store bought or home grown tulips?

The reason I ask is that there are techniques the growers/retailers should follow during harvest and handling to keep them fresh, but they are not going to be as fresh as home grown by a friend or neighbor.

Here is an example of the directions for commercial handling of cut tulips for the cut flower market.

And, it really depends how open/mature they were when picked, too.

I am looking for other flowers recommended for boiling the tips ... I seem to remember poppies being one. I'll post it when I find it.

-- posted by Cottage_Garden

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» Cottage_Garden - Real Simple Experiment

This is (almost) perfect. Real Simple Magazine web site did a trial on tulips and different preservatives -- aspirin, penny, plain water, bleach, sugar, floral preservative ... the little graphics are animated so give each one time to load.

Check here to see the results of the Real Simple tulip bouquet trial! Too bad they didn't try burning the ends. I'll keep looking.

-- posted by Cottage_Garden

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» Cottage_Garden - Detailed Directions

Ok here is the motherlode of information on care of cut flowers. Check out what is says about pennies and aspirin!

Can you guess which flowers can be burned at the tips? (Hint: milky sap. Yes, poppy is one. There are more.) Another option for these is to dunk the tips in boiling water. Sounds kinda cruel.

Care of Cut Flowers.

-- posted by Cottage_Garden

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» Joni Rose - Detailed Directions

In response to Detailed Directions posted by Cottage_Garden:

Wow...thanks for the tips and info! It is really interesting.

The tulips were given as a gift but I am guessing they came from a corner store stand.

Joni

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