[tweetmeme source=”elizabethev” only_single=false]
..the One Day Sale on tulips at Whole Foods. I know, I am truly a badass.
I’m not usually one to go bonkers over a sale (though I will never pay full price at places the Gap, after realizing everything goes on sale 3.5 minutes after you pay full price), but this One Day Sale really got me jazzed. I scooped up three bunches of tulips for $12. That’s 40 cents per tulip. I’m sure even Clark could afford that (Lord knows what sort of change he’s hoarding in his crate; I once found a pony hair ballet flat and a Michael Kors handbag in there). Aaaand they didn’t die the next day!
I usually gravitate toward all white arrangements, but with winter’s unwelcome return to Boston this past weekend, I had to add a bit of bright and bold. I love pairing pink and red flowers, and thought that’s what I was doing… but apparently I am colorblind, because upon closer review, those are clearly orange tulips. Hey. That works too.
I may get captured by scientists upon revealing this (they’ll surely want to learn my secrets), but I’ve kept a vase of white calla lilies alive since the weekend before Valentine’s Day. I intend to keep these tulips alive until Thanksgiving, God willing. I may need to shellac them. To avoid being taken to NASA or wherever scientists live, I’ll just spill all of my top not-so-secret info.
- Buy flowers when they’re barely (if at all) blooming. The tighter the bud, the better.
- Cut a half inch or so from the stems before placing them in water. I find it easiest to do this while they’re still wrapped. That way avoid getting stabbed by thorns, and your stems will be uniform in height (you can snip them shorter once you start arranging, if you’re into that sort of thing).
- Remove any and all leaves. They drain energy from the flower and turn all swampy if submerged.
- Place the flowers in a vase of cold water. Change the water daily. Temperature is important.
- I am not sure where those flower food packets come from, but I am pretty sure it’s a warehouse from 1970 that has been trying to unload those chemicals for decades. You don’t need to use that stuff.
Incidentally, one of my favorite books growing up was The First Tulips in Holland. I am thinking of writing a sequel called The Five Hundredth Tulips in South Boston. It’s got a nice ring, eh?
Also On Tap for Today:
- This is my favorite takeout place in Southie, I hear their “tulip” sandwich is really good (for the non-vegetarians)
- Finishing this week’s book obsession
- TRX, baby!
What is your favorite flower? Do you have any top secret knowledge to share?
Comments (7)
Megan
March 29, 2011 at 5:43 pm
I bought a whole bunch of tulips during the Whole Foods sale too (well, my fiance bought them for me, but I picked them out). I went for the pink and white, orange and yellow, and all yellow ones to add a bunch of color! I need spring already!
Kelly
March 29, 2011 at 5:56 pm
I love peonies but they don’t last very long!! But they were my wedding flower! Oh and TRX…love that little ass kicking contraption!
Kelly
March 29, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Oh and I used to work at GAP and yes everything goes on sale about 2 weeks after it comes in! 🙂
Jessica @ Dairy Free Betty
March 29, 2011 at 7:17 pm
I love tulips and gerberra daisies!! Oh really I like any kind of flowers!! 🙂 (except carnations!)
Lucky you, that’s an awesome deal!! 🙂
Ginger
March 29, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Oh, I so wanted to get these but forgot all about them by the time I was out of the area. I’m so glad to see you got to take advantage of the deal! They are beautiful and that is a lovely picture!
betsy
March 30, 2011 at 2:11 pm
if you put a penny in the vase they don’t droop!
Janel
March 31, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Helpful tips from me when I should be in bed:
1) Spritz some bleach cleaner in your vase. That also keeps the flowers living longer.
2) If you bring your receipt back to the Gap within 7 days, they’ll scan it and refund you any money from a price adjustment, which basically happens daily. It’s my newest favorite activity. Cha-ching!