Monty Don's expert advice to help tulips last longer and make 'difference' (2024)

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While it's commonly believed that tulips thrive with minimal watering, horticultural expert Monty Don advises providing them with additional moisture.

By Aditi Rane

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Monty Don's expert advice to help tulips last longer and make 'difference' (2)

Monty Don shared his tulip watering tip (Image: Getty)

As the season unfolds, gardeners across the region are now witnessing the early stages of growth in the tulips they diligently planted during the months of October, November, and December.

These iconic flowers are a sign of spring, often being among the first bulbs to adorn gardens with their vibrant hues.

While it's commonly believed that tulips thrive with minimal watering, horticultural expert Monty Don advises providing them with additional moisture, particularly during rainy spells, to ensure their prolonged vitality.

On his monthly gardening blog, the gardening guru said: “Because they have been so passive for months and because April is traditionally so showery, it is easy to overlook the fact that tulips need water once they are growing strongly, so I water those growing pots weekly.

READ MOREApril is the perfect time to plant these colourful flowers for summer blooms

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“This will not affect flowering this year, although it might make the blooms last long, but it will help the foliage which in turn makes a big difference to near year’s bulbs.”

These flowers are well-suited for various garden types and bedding arrangements. Providing them with proper care in the coming month will promote robust growth as they begin to emerge from the soil.

The Royal Horticultural Society added: “In mid to late spring, cup-shaped flowers rise on single stems above wide strap-like green or green-grey leaves.

“Flower stalks emerge from cream-white bulbs covered by a paper brown skin.”

Monty Don's expert advice to help tulips last longer and make 'difference' (3)

Monty Don advises providing tulips with additional moisture in the Spring months (Image: Getty)

“Tulips grow well in soil rich in organic matter. They like cool moist conditions in spring, with a dry warm summer conditions for their summer ‘rest’ (dormancy).

“Most grow in an open position in full sun, although some tolerate part shade.”

This comes after experts at Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, recommended keeping things simple after placing your tulips in vases to keep flowers looking perfect.

“Avoid adding gin, vodka or pennies to the tulip water, brushing the blooms with egg whites or piercing the stems just under the bloom,” said the experts. “None of these ‘home remedies’ has ever proved to have any real benefits. Cold fresh water works best.”

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Monty Don's expert advice to help tulips last longer and make 'difference' (2024)

FAQs

Monty Don's expert advice to help tulips last longer and make 'difference'? ›

Gardeners need to make sure their tulips don't stand in water but still make sure the container drains well. If the top inch (around 2.5 cm) of soil in the container is dry, give it enough water to moisten it.

How do you make tulips last longer? ›

Check the water level in the vase daily and, for the longest vase life, change the water in the vase daily. At the very least, top off the water as the level lowers. Never let your tulips sit without water covering the bottoms of their stems. Keep your tulips in a cool room.

How to cut tulips so they regrow? ›

Yes , it is possible to regrow cut tulips , but it requires some extra care and patience . After cutting the tulips , make sure to trim the stems at an angle and place them in a vase filled with fresh water . Change the water every day and keep the tulips in a cool , well - lit area .

Does sugar help tulips last longer? ›

Use fresh, cold water (and nothing else!): All tulips need is fresh, cold water (preferably not treated by a water conditioner). Avoid adding pennies, sugar, lemon-lime soda, aspirin or bleach to the water.

How to stop tulips from drooping in a vase? ›

To immediately fix any drooping, cut the stems and put them into cold water. This will help the tulips to perk up. Change the water in the vase every few days as tulips cannot thrive in dirty water. Keep the vase with the tulips away from air conditioners and radiators to avoid drooping.

How to make tulips last longer penny? ›

TIP #2: This one is an old wives tale BUT it does work! Dropping a penny into you water has said to keep your tulips from drooping. The copper in the penny acts as a fungicide and naturally kills any bacteria that may be hiding in your flower vase. **Only pennies made before 1982 have 95% copper in them.

Do tulips grow back if you pick them? ›

Unfortunately, the answer is no. If you pull the bulb out of the ground before it has had a chance for photosynthesis to grow a new baby bulb, then the new bulb won't be strong enough to survive or produce a flower.

Should I cut or pull tulips? ›

Cut each tulip stem at an angle with a sharp knife or floral snips. This will make the tulips last longer and make them easier to insert into the arrangement. Remove unwanted leaves by gently pulling them back and peeling them away from the stem.

How to keep tulips alive longer? ›

To keep cut tulips fresh and vigorous, be sure to keep the water in the vase “topped off” with fresh cold water every day or two. Flowers kept in a cool location in a room will also last much longer. Change the water completely every couple of days to prolong your flower's life.

Why do you poke a hole in tulips? ›

If you find your tulips a little droopy, it could be that they have air bubbles in their stems. Prick a tiny hole below the flower head with a needle or safety pin so that water can rise up the stem.

Does putting a penny in a vase help flowers? ›

The reason pennies are considered a smart way to keep flowers alive longer is because copper is a fungicide, so it naturally kills off those pesky bacteria and fungi that are trying to camp out in your flowers' vase and shorten the life span of your stems.

Should I put a penny in my tulips? ›

The reason pennies are considered a smart way to keep flowers alive longer is because copper is a fungicide, so it naturally kills off those pesky bacteria and fungi that are trying to camp out in your flowers' vase and shorten the life span of your stems.

Does bleach make tulips last longer? ›

Bleach. Freshly cut flowers will last longer if you add 1/4 teaspoon bleach per quart (1 liter) of vase water. Another popular recipe calls for 3 drops bleach and 1 teaspoon sugar in 1 quart (1 liter) water. This will also keep the water from getting cloudy and inhibit the growth of bacteria.

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