MAKE THIS THE WEEK YOU...

MAKE YOUR TULIPS LAST

TULIPS are said to herald the arrival of spring — and, sure enough, there are bunches on sale everywhere at the moment. But what’s the best way to keep these brightly coloured beauties upright?

WRAP THE STEMS

AS SOON as you get your tulips home, wrap the stems loosely in newspaper to hold them upright, then put them in a clean vase of room temperature water, advise the experts at The Flower Council of Holland. Room temperature water will keep tulips stems crisp and help them hydrate and firm up in an upright position.

UNDERWATER TRIM

TO BOOST hydration — with the stems still bound — snip an inch off the bottom of each stem at an angle while they are under the water. This avoids air bubbles developing, and the angled cut stops the end of the stem sitting flat against the bottom of the vase, both of which can hinder water uptake and make your flowers flop, say the experts at Interflora.

DITCH THE DAFFS

DISPLAY tulips on their own. Researchers at the University of Vermont say cut daffodils exude a gelatinous substance from their stems which can shorten the life of your tulips if the two are in the same vase.

DIY FLOWER FOOD

ALWAYS add flower food to your water — it makes them last longer. If you don’t have any, stir in a single drop of bleach and half a teaspoon of sugar instead. The bleach will kill any bacteria and the sugar will feed the flowers.