Make supermarket tulips 'last for two weeks' with three easy steps

Tulips can transform any room with their vibrant splash of colour, taking pride of place, brightening up even the gloomiest corners. However, if you're tempted by the most stunning tulips at the , they might not stay fresh as long as you'd like. For those looking to for up to a fortnight, it's time to pay attention.

Flower fanatic advises that when choosing , you need to ensure "all the tulips are closed and at the start of their life," which might be hard when the fully bloomed ones are calling your name. But remember, the more open they are, the shorter their vase life. Next step is to "pull off the bottom leaves," because leaving them on means your tulips could "die in a day" due to "bacteria build up".

Then, grab a toothpick and pierce a hole "just under the flower". This little trick lets air out of the stem while it absorbs water, helping to prevent the dreaded droop.

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And when trimming the stems, ditch the scissors and "take a knife, not scissors, and slice the stems on a 45-degree angle".

For the water, "add a teaspoon of sugar and some ice cubes". Tulips thrive in chilly water, so this combo is a winner.

Lastly, don't drown your tulips; one to two inches of water is plenty to avoid them from drinking too much, and it will keep them standing tall.

The key to making your tulips last up to two weeks is to "replace the water" daily. Considering most supermarket bunches cost around £4, you're certainly getting value for money.

Preserving your flowers involves keeping them away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and drafts. It's also advisable to avoid placing them near ripening fruit as the ethylene gas it releases can cause the flowers to wilt faster.

Regularly misting the petals lightly can provide extra moisture and help maintain their vibrancy.

In the comments section, someone mentioned a tip they'd heard about "putting a penny in the water," asking whether it was true or not.

This idea stems from the belief that copper has antimicrobial properties.

The theory suggests that the copper from the penny could inhibit the growth of bacteria or fungi in the water, which might otherwise block the flower stems and reduce their lifespan.

However, modern pennies are mostly made of zinc with only a thin layer of copper, so they don't release enough copper to significantly affect the water's bacterial content.

Furthermore, the effectiveness of this method is disputed, and it hasn't been scientifically proven as a reliable way to extend the life of flowers.

Generally, fresh water, regular stem trimming, and a floral preservative are more effective methods for extending the life of cut flowers.