Hints From Heloise

Two Cents' Worth of Tulips

Dear Heloise: I received a wonderful hint from my hairdresser, who is from Holland. When you have a vase of CUT TULIPS and they start to bend over, put two pennies in the vase with the water, and the tulips will stand up straight! -- Fay from Kensington, Md.

Fay, we decided to see what we could find out about tulips!

And here is what we found. First of all, did you know that tulips are the only cut flowers that continue to grow after they are cut? They can grow up to an inch or more! Tulips bend toward the light source. So, to keep them straight, they need to be placed where light is right above them.

The penny in the water is a home remedy that many people use to keep flowers longer. However, these home remedies (sugar, bleach, lemon-lime soda or aspirin) don't work as well as the floral preservative and bacteria inhibitor that floral shops sell (and that usually comes with cut flowers).

Tulips can last for several days if they are properly cared for. Stems need to be cut (about 1/2 inch) as soon as you arrive home. Then place in a vase with fresh water and floral preservative. Keep clean water in the vase, and stems should be re-cut every other day or so.

Here's to beautiful, straight tulips! -- Heloise

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise

P.O. Box 795000

San Antonio, TX 78279-5000

Fax: 1-210-HELOISE