"David Hill" wrote in message
...
I wonder if the problem with your cut tulips is air in the stems.

This is a problem with so many cut flowers.

When you get them home,
prepare a deep vase of hot water, (You should just be able to put
your hand
into it)
and another vase of Cold water.
Cut about half an inch of the bottom of the stems and plunge them into
the
hot water, Watch for very small bubbles coming from the stems, after
about
half a minute they should have stopped (if not keep them there till
they do
stop) then move them straight into the cold water.
This expands the sap in the stems which pushes out the air that has
got into
the stems, then the plunge into cold contracts it and fresh water is
drawn
back into the stems. leave them for half an hour or so before you move
them
into their final vase.
If you add a packet of cut flower food into the water it can help
prolong
the flower life, also with flowers such as Dahlias and others with
soft
stems a drip or two of bleach will help stop the water going off.
The best I ever had was a bunch of Gerbera(Transvaal daises), they
kept
pumping out air for almost 5 minutes, but they lasted for almost 2
weeks
after treatment.
It is this air lock that causes cut roses to flop at the neck after a
day or
so in a vase.

Good luck.
--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk


Thanks to all - looking forward to trying some of these tyips in the
next few weeks

Neil

"Janet Baraclough .." wrote in
message
How do you stop the tulips from drooping when they're in the vase? We've
tried keeping the water topped up but it didn't seem to have any effect.

I have a very vague, distant memory about inserting pins through the stalk
and into the base of the flower, but I've no idea if I only dreamed that !!

"Janet Baraclough .." wrote in
message
How do you stop the tulips from drooping when they're in the vase? We've
tried keeping the water topped up but it didn't seem to have any effect.

I have a very vague, distant memory about inserting pins through the stalk
and into the base of the flower, but I've no idea if I only dreamed that !!

Jan6/2/04 11:03
"Janet Baraclough .." wrote in
message
How do you stop the tulips from drooping when they're in the vase? We've
tried keeping the water topped up but it didn't seem to have any effect.

I have a very vague, distant memory about inserting pins through the stalk
and into the base of the flower, but I've no idea if I only dreamed that !!


I remember that and it was something to do with letting air bubbles out, I
think. Didn't work, AFAIR.
--

Sacha
(remove the weeds to email me)

Jan6/2/04 11:03
"Janet Baraclough .." wrote in
message
How do you stop the tulips from drooping when they're in the vase? We've
tried keeping the water topped up but it didn't seem to have any effect.

I have a very vague, distant memory about inserting pins through the stalk
and into the base of the flower, but I've no idea if I only dreamed that !!


I remember that and it was something to do with letting air bubbles out, I
think. Didn't work, AFAIR.
--

Sacha
(remove the weeds to email me)

Jan6/2/04 11:03
"Janet Baraclough .." wrote in
message
How do you stop the tulips from drooping when they're in the vase? We've
tried keeping the water topped up but it didn't seem to have any effect.

I have a very vague, distant memory about inserting pins through the stalk
and into the base of the flower, but I've no idea if I only dreamed that !!


I remember that and it was something to do with letting air bubbles out, I
think. Didn't work, AFAIR.
--

Sacha
(remove the weeds to email me)

On 05 Feb 2004 13:51:00 GMT, Ian wrote:

In recent years I have grown varieties of Cosmos and Dahlia for cut-flower
for the house. I fancy growing something new this year - can anyone suggest
anything please. I am particulalry thinking of cut-and-come-again annuals.

Do zinnias grow there? Many varieties; many colors; definitely
cut-and-come-again. Snapdragons? Salvias? It may not be warm enough
there, but there are heaps of sunflower varieties (Mexican sunflower
-- Tithonia rotundifolia) that aren't 6' tall and quite cheerful and
prolific bloomers. Are daisies frowned upon? I *love* a bunch of
daisies indoors. Consider accompanying greens, too -- 2 bloom stalks
and a nice green background look good.

Ian wrote in
:

Thanks for the interest - not really into tulips though!

I shall try some Zinnias and annual Carnations.

You might find this of use.

http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/pla...cap/h1200w.htm

--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk

David,
That's excellent - many thanks.
Ian

David,
That's excellent - many thanks.
Ian