Why don't tulips flop any more?

Like others on here I have absolutely no idea why the pin thing works, I read it somewhere and tried it because to me floppy tulips look like dying tulips; not nice.

And I did hesitate over the wording of my first post.

I love the way you get two different characters with tulips- the uptight, formal type when you first get them, then - all being well - they turn into Bette Lynch, with a fag and a gin. I bet they've started breeding them so they stay formal. I love hyacinths - for their scent, but I believe they've started breeding ones without scent because there are so many allergies around.

I think it depends upon the type of tulip, and how they've been grown. I used to do the pin-prick thing, and sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn't. Just as some last longer than others, depending on how tired they are when bought. Sometimes the fresher they are, straight from the garden for instance, the more likely they are to remain upright.In fact, I prefer mine to flop and am disappointed if some stay resolutely upright.

They also continue to elongate, so it might have something to do with the type of vase they are in, as they continue to grow.

As I love tulips, am happy for them to do their thing. Upright or floppy, they are a delight.

Thank you, mumofmad and elegran. The air bubble thing after snipping makes sense.

Sorry thatbags for delay. Been busy with visitors! Yes just stick pin through stems horizontally about inch from bottom and remove pin. Don't know exactly why it works though!

I remember hearing about the pins years ago, but I've never tried it. The tulips I have bought from Aldi for the last few years have flopped beautifully but the last couple of bunches have stayed upright and the flowers haven't opened up

Relax, I generally get mine to flop by forgetting to top up the water in the vase ?

I think that's it Elegran At least that's what I was told. The ones I bought from the florist flopped but didn't look half as good as Ann's picture. I also like the look of a table with a vase of flowers with one or two petals which have dropped. In my house that just looks scruffy.

Oh, I see what you mean, Elegran - the snipping actually squashes the ends, forming an airlock...

Couldn't you just snip half an inch off the stems if that's the case? I always do that with cut flowers (bought) anyway.

Air bubble gets in when the stem is cut and forms an airlock? Pinhole lets air out so that water can rise up and keep the stem rigid?

roses It took a few seconds for that to sink in!

Yesbut, why does it work? Does anyone know? Does it improve the capillary action of hollow stems, perhaps?

Actually, it may only be hollow stemmed flowers it works on?

Me?

Does it work on roses?

I'm puzzled about these pins. Haven't heard of this practice before. Is the pin stuck horizontally through the stem, mumofmad?

And, MaizieD, do you just make a small hole with a pin in the flower stem just under the flower head? What's the theory behind this? I mean, how does is it supposed to have the effect you mention?

I tend to stick a pin through the stem about an inch from the bottom of the stem to encourage them to stay upright longer.

I blame that on the EU as well!

I can imagine that with pink tulips, a nice combo.Only 3 of our irises have come up recently, and we usually have about 20 in the clump!

I think it's another EU directive...

So they are just saying they don't take to being cut flowers much then? Though, I agree, they can look nice all floppy. My fave combination with tulips is purple irises and white tulips.

No, all our tulips stay straight, unless wind/ rain push them over.

I can't remember whether the Edinburgh ones ever flopped.

Do tulips flop at a certain stage whne they are still growing in soil? I grew some very successfully in Edinburgh thirty years ago but I haven't had any in my garden since then. Well... I had some in my current garden that flowered but deer ate them before they had a chance to flop.