Mother's Day tulip trick could see the blooms last for up to two weeks, according to expert

If you got your mum tulips for Mother’s Day, you may want to pass on this handy hack, as it could see the blooms last up to two weeks.

Some people don’t like giving flowers as gifts as they don’t last very long, but according to experts, you can make your tulips last a whole lot longer with one simple item – and you may already have it hanging around in your cupboard.

Tulips are definitely a staple gift for Mother’s Day as the day of showing appreciation to your mum falls at the start of the flower’s season.

Alex Biggart, Brand Manager at 123 Flowers shared his advice for keeping tulips looking their best, referring to them as a “go-to for Mother’s Day” as they “bring a pop of colour into the home and are bound to make anyone smile.” He claimed that his “tips and tricks should make tulips last for a couple of weeks after Mother’s Day” – which is ideal.

Alex’s first tip uses a toothpick and takes seconds to do. He suggested making “a small hole underneath the flower head”, which “allows air to escape when the flower drinks water so they don’t droop over at the top.”

tulips

‌When it comes to changing the water, Alex recommended doing it “every two to three days”, but if you’re looking to “give your bouquet that extra boost, put ice cubes and a teaspoon of sugar in the water. Tulips thrive in cold water and sugar provides much-needed nutrients.” Also, for future reference, when choosing your bunch make sure all your tulips are closed to ensure you have them for longer.

‌”Before putting your tulips in water, make sure you use a knife to diagonally slice the stems on a 45-degree angle to maximise surface area to absorb water”, Alex said. “You should also remove any leaves below the water line as these will die and cause bacteria to build up.”

‌And when positioning tulips, keep them away from heaters and don’t press them up against windows. Alex also advises checking the bottom of the stems every couple of days and trimming them if they look soggy.

‌”A couple of inches of water is usually fine for tulips so they don’t over-drink. These steps can help you get the maximum benefit from your beautiful bouquet of tulips and enjoy them for longer”, he advised.

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