Are Tulips that Bad?

KatieD212

I keep hearing that tulips are not good for bouquets because they wilt.  Do they really get that droopy?  I see so many cute pics of all tulip bouquets and that is definetly what I have pictured in my mind....I really just need them for the ceremony and pictures.  Any thoughts?

tldh

DH got me tulips and roses for Valentine's Day this year and I needed to use the roses to prop up the tulips.  Even in water, they fall over.

Talk to a florist.  Mine despised bridal magazines because they tend to show a lot of flowers that should never go in a bouquet.

jagore08

If it's only tulips then your florist will need something to support them or you can use them along with other flowers.  It's not necessarily that they wilt, their stem is just not strong.  I had tulips in my bouquet, along with other flowers, for my outdoor wedding in about 90 humid weather and they didn't wilt.  If you really want only tulips, consult with your florist and see what they can do.

fallbride1109

I tried to have a tulip centerpiece.  Thank goodness I did a mock up.  I wasn't happy with how they looked at all and nixed them.

Lisa50

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_flowers_tulips-bad?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:28Discussion:0a4588c0-9a0e-4ac3-80c1-3505626c7c2dPost:3a07c474-ddc2-406e-81ae-7ebac5ca46f0">Re: Are Tulips that Bad?</a>:
[QUOTE]If it's only tulips then your florist will need something to support them or you can use them along with other flowers.  It's not necessarily that they wilt, their stem is just not strong.  I had tulips in my bouquet, along with other flowers, for my outdoor wedding in about 90 humid weather and they didn't wilt.  If you really want only tulips, consult with your florist and see what they can do.
Posted by jagore08[/QUOTE]

Ditto.  I will have a couple of tulips in my bouquet, so I don't anticipate a problem. 

I don't think I'd go for a tulip-only bouquet though.  When I have tulips in the house, I have to make sure they're in a tight, short vase to keep them looking their best.

KatieD212

Ok, thanks girls.  I was pretty dead set on Tulips only, but maybe they would look good with calla lillies?  I like the look of a single flower.

deb84

Could tulips be "wired" like roses so that they don't fall?  I know roses are often wired to keep the bloom UP.  Talk to your florist to see if it is possible.

midgemoto

hang on....the real deal is freshness!   Tulips continue to stretch and bend even after they are cut...and once they stretch out they weaken.... you just need to be sure they are really fresh.  If the buds are way longer than the foilage they arent fresh.  If they are still down in the leaves when you buy them they are probably fresh.

Conditioning is everything... Never use warm water or flower food because it makes them stretch out faster....always cool water...keep them in a fridge or a nice cool place.... and dont use a ton of water so they don't drink it too quickly.

Im a florist and i love tulips... its all in the handling!  if you order them by the case they can also be a great deal.....elegant and simple... 

there  re great mixed cases available , I would go with a local floral wholesaler if you can rather than mail order though... for the freshness sake.   

good luck... and no to the wiring and such.... 

KatieD212

Thanks Midge!  My friend's mom is a former manager of a major florist in my hometown, so she agreed to do my flowers for me.  She told me they are not ideal, but can be done....and they turn out best if done the morning of the wedding.  I dont want to make her rush on them, so I will get her full opinion as well. I just wanted to know what everyone on here thought!

janicejab

I agree with PPs. They are somewhat floppy. However, if you have your heart set on tulips, there are ways to combat that problem. If the florist does a tight, round bouquet for you, they should be ok. As well, they can use wire and tape to wrap around them to make them sturdier. That being said, they do not like to be out of water that long. I would stick to using them centerpieces or maybe your bouquet. Definitely don't use them for boutonnieres or corsages. HTH!