How to Trim Tulips for a Vase

Tulips offer a wider selection of colors than any other spring flowering bulb. Over the years, they have been bred to produce several different flower sizes and showy forms. One of the more interesting is the Rembrandt tulip, which is infected with a virus that causes variegated petals. All tulip types are suitable for cutting, and with proper care, they last about a week in the vase.

Hand pruners or scissors
Container of water
Candle
Floral preservative

Instructions

- 1
  Cut tulips when the buds are almost ready to open using sharp scissors or pruners to make a clean cut. Make the cut near the ground, and immediately stand the flowers upright in a container of water.
- 2
  Bring the flowers indoors and recut the bottom of the stems while holding them under water.
- 3
  Hold the end of the stem over a candle flame to seal it. Sealed tulip stems will be able to take up water but won’t ooze nutrients.
- 4
  Set the container of tulips in a location with dim light and leave them for several hours or overnight.
- 5
  Fill a vase half full with water containing floral preservative mixed according to the package instructions.
- 6
  Recut the stems to the desired length at a slight angle and place the flowers in the vase. Top off the vase with additional water and floral preservative.

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