Tulips are a happy reminder that spring has arrived. Bringing them indoors and arranging them accurately can be a challenge. Tulips may be arranged in many creative ways including in antique tulipieres as Mary T. Dial showcases on page 110. To arrange tulips in a simple en masse display, abide by the following steps.
Tulips tend to have a drooping appearance when transported into the home. To combat this, roll the stems in brown paper and submerge in cold water for 5 minutes. Tulips only require a small amount of water, so fill the vase 1/3 of the way full with luke-warm water. Next, hold the stems next to the vase to see how much you should trim. Trim the stems at a 45 degree angle to aid in water absorption. Remove all leaves and debris from the bottom of the stems to above the water line. No leaves should reside in the water because this can cause rotting and bacteria growth. Next, using a safety pin, poke a hole just beneath the bud to prevent the stems from drooping over time and allow the release of air from the hollow stems. Sprinkle the cut-flower food into the water, bundle stems and place together in a vase. Change water daily, recut stems and add more cut-flower food to keep the tulips happy and healthy.
