- 1). Cut tulips when the buds are almost ready to open using sharp scissors or pruners to make a clean cut. Make the cut near the ground, and immediately stand the flowers upright in a container of water.
- 2). Bring the flowers indoors and recut the bottom of the stems while holding them under water.
- 3). Hold the end of the stem over a candle flame to seal it. Sealed tulip stems will be able to take up water but won’t ooze nutrients.
- 4). Set the container of tulips in a location with dim light and leave them for several hours or overnight.
- 5). Fill a vase half full with water containing floral preservative mixed according to the package instructions.
- 6). Recut the stems to the desired length at a slight angle and place the flowers in the vase. Top off the vase with additional water and floral preservative.
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