How to Fix Drooping Tulips: It’s Easy!
If you are wondering how to fix drooping tulips, there is one simple trick that will do the job. Includes tips for arranging tulips as well!
For some of us, the winter months can be long and dreary…but there are things we can do to brighten our spaces, and add color to our decor. This can be easily accomplished by simply picking up some flowers at your grocery store or farm market. There is nothing that can cheer up a room more than a bunch (or two) of fresh tulips. Follow these simple steps for a lovely and long-lasting arrangement.
Tips for Arranging Tulips
Begin with a vessel filled with cool water, sharp scissors, and a large bunch of tulips. I bought two bunches of tulips for a total of 20 stems. Separate the tulips and remove any damaged or large outer leaves. One at a time, gather the tulip stems in one hand, making sure the blooms are as even as possible.
Holding tightly to the tulip stems with one hand, carefully cut all the stems evenly. I have large hands, and as you can see, it was all I could do to keep the tulips together. If you cannot get all the tulips in one bunch, it’s fine to make, and then cut, two bunches. Just make sure the stems of both bunches are the same length. Also, don’t cut them too short the first time. It’s better to cut them too long, and trim again if necessary.
All at once, set the group of stems into your vessel. Make sure the ends of the stems are all the way to the bottom of your vessel. Let go of the stems and let the blooms fall naturally.
At this point, you can carefully remove and reinsert stems so the arrangement is balanced in size and color. Personally, I don’t worry too much about this. I don’t mind if there is a rogue tulip that sticks out too far…or if the colors are a little off. As you can see in the image below, the tulips all immediately drooped. I love this look, but if you prefer your tulips upright, read on!
How to Fix Drooping Tulips
This blog is not really known for dramatic before and afters…so I am thrilled to be able to share this one with you! You can see in the image above that the tulips are lovely, but totally drooping. I took the step-by-step pictures above on a cloudy day, in the afternoon. That night, before I went to bed, I cut off two more inches from the ends of the tulips, and dropped two pennies in the pitcher. When I got up in the morning, the image below shows you what happened.
Amazing! I learned about this trick last year when I posted a picture of some drooping tulips on Instagram. There were several comments advising me to put a penny in the water. Evidently the copper from the penny is what makes the tulip stems stand tall. I have to admit that I was slightly shocked that it worked!
Arranging Tulips: Choosing the Right Vessel
My favorite flower vessel is, hands down, an ironstone pitcher. The stems of some flowers, especially tulips, can turn the water murky. This can happen after just a few hours, when the water is still very fresh. By choosing a vessel other than clear glass, this problem is not an issue. For tulips, it’s also important to choose a vessel with a round mouth. The bigger the mouth, the more the tulips will spread out, and possibly droop. A smaller mouth will keep the tulips gathered together, with straighter stems.
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