FRESH TULIPS ARE TOP SPRING GIFTS WHY NOT TREAT YOURSELF!
 In America, research shows, more people buy cut flowers as gifts than they do for themselves. A 1997 research study of shoppers for all types of cut flowers in 11 countries, revealed that, among Americans, 6 percent purchased flowers for themselves while 59 percent purchased the flowers as gifts. Curiously, in other countries, cut flower shoppers were kinder to themselves. In England, for instance, 32% buy cut flowers as personal treats with 68% buying flowers as gifts. In Belgium, the break-out was 33% to 52%; in Norway, 36% to 52%; and in the Netherlands it was an equitable 51% to 49%. Only Italy ranked close to America’s self-sacrificing floral modus operandi — Italians purchased 10% of cut flowers for themselves while bestowing 53% on others. In each country, the balance of floral purchases went to, variously, occasions such as funerals or weddings or “other.” The study was conducted by the Dutch Board for Horticulture in The Hague, the Netherlands.
 Tulips Are Tops Now — Experts Provide Tips
Since spring is the peak season for tulip sales — with tulips being most abundant and a “best buy” January through April — it makes sense to know how to take care of them whether you are buying them as gifts or — dare we say — keeping them for yourself!
Following are tips from the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center in New York City for enjoying tulips to the fullest — and to give you an edge up for teaching friends and family how to care for their floral gifts!
Don’t be wishy-washy — go for big color whether brights or pastels. Treat your friends or yourself to something new and different. With more than 500 varieties of cut tulips available, experiment a little! Try something fun — for instance try fragrant, yellow double-petaled tulips (‘Monte Carlo’ has an exceptionally long vase life) or the wildly romantic ‘Apricot Parrot’ with its ruffled petals of warm apricot-blushed with pink.
For longest vase life, buy tulips with flower buds closed but about to open, with the color of the flower evident.
Before arranging tulips, condition them by re-cutting the base of the stem with a clean sharp knife. Cut straight across the stem, not at a slant. This will open up the flower’s water uptake channels. And forget those cut flower food packets — tulips are self-sufficient.
But tulips are particularly thirsty. Check water level daily. Refresh (top off) or change water every day for longest vase life.
Tulips, unlike most flowers, keep growing after being cut — sometimes up to an inch taller while in the vase. This means they have an unusually stylish characteristic treasured by professional floral designers: they “move or dance in the vase.” Don’t expect them to stand stalwartly upright, they will bend and twist to their own delight.
The seemingly whimsical bending of tulips is actually caused by the dual effects of continuing stem growth and the gentle pull of light and gravity on the flower head.
Tulips, like daisies, look at home in any type of container: from the silliest tin can to the prettiest crystal vase. The tulip will enhance the casualness or elegance of its surroundings.
With proper care, tulips should open and last from five to seven days. Keep away from sources of heat (including direct sunlight, radiators, lamps and television sets).
Combining tulips with daffodils or any other members of the Narcissus family is not recommended because narcissi exude a slimy substance that shortens the life span of other flowers by clogging their water uptake channels. If you wish to mix the daffodils with other flowers, trim the daffodil stems at the base then stand them in a separate container of water to soak for several hours. Later, arrange the daffodils and other flowers in a fresh vase of water. This should solve the problem.
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