Fresh Tulips
Always buy or cut your tulips when the buds are just showing a bit of color. Do not buy them closed tightly (they might not open if they've been stressed) and don't harvest them that early (you have to wait for them - they'll grow better outdoors)
Always recut your tulip stems when you bring them indoors. The cut end of the stem will dry out surprisingly quickly and a layer of dead cells at the bottom of the stem stops water from being absorbed up the stem. This in turn reduces the life of the fresh tulips you've just paid good money for or harvested from your own garden.
Recut them under running water and immediately put them into a vase of fresh, lukewarm water. The warmish water will help the stem transport water and because the cells weren't exposed to the air, they'll be more than happy to pass water along.
When in the vase, you have a choice of adding plant food (a good idea) or simply changing the water every day.
Changing the water daily is the single most important thing to do with keeping fresh tulips and if you do nothing else, take this simple step once a day. Change the water! Use lukewarm water.
Generally, you should get at least 7-10 days from a cut bouquet of tulips if you get them at the nice tight, bud stage. (but change the water!)
If you want to ask a question about fresh tulips, click here
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