How to stop cut flowers going mouldy?

I love Tulips, but everytime I put them in a vase the stems go mouldy really quickly. (bought tulips from a shop) The room temperature is an even 22 celcius, the water is fresh, but mould grows on the stems really quickly like it would on bread. I've tried making sure there's a gap for air to get to the water, but it's not working. (Not too many in the vase so air can cirulate) Can anyone tell me why the stems go mouldy?

Also, the water goes foggy really quickly - in a day or two.



I've tried different places, but the same things happen. The tulips don't get direct sunlight.

How to stop cut flowers going mouldy?
Try a same amount of bleach the the water used in the vase. You'll need to experiment with a ratio High water: very little bleach. This well disinfect the water, vase and the tulips, as well as help the flowers from decomposing to quickly. The mold could be from your soil mix that you use. I'll presume that the vase was washed and sanitized, and your tried water boiled to kill all bacteria then cooled and place in a sanitary container till you are ready to be used. (Bottled water does not equal bacteria free, mineral free) Hope this well help.
Reply:Put a tiny bit of clorox in the water...this will not happen.
Reply:take a vase and put just a half teaspoon of bleach per quart of warm water. And of coarse recut the flowers a little so they can take up the water. The bleach keeps the water bacteria free for a few days. I'd recut the tulips every other day. Don't forget though, store bought tulips are already a few days old to begin with. My roses last a solid eight days or more when I put a tiny amount of bleach to the water.