Freshly cut tulips are geotropic and phototropic, meaning both gravity and light affect their growth. This accounts for their graceful bending and swaying in a vase. If you prefer yours straight, remove bendy tulips, recut their stems, then roll them in newspaper, with the paper extending above the flower tops but not covering the lower third of the stems. Place the wrapped bunch upright in a container with enough cool water to cover exposed stems only. Leave in a cool place for a couple of hours and, voila, your tulips will stand straight and tall again.
What's in a name?
Renowned artist Rembrandt van Rijn was born in Leiden, Holland, and would have been a first-hand witness to the 1637 crash of Tulipomania; however, he never painted tulips. So why these particular specimens are called Rembrandts remains a mystery—perhaps it’s simply because they’re masterpieces in their own right.
Read more in Plants and Flower Bulbs
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