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Today I'm in the mood for a philosophical discussion.
Is there any truth to the widely accepted theory that "Less is More"?
Let us examine this in the context of oxygen. If given the option of receiving either less or more oxygen, which would you choose? Let's see ... no oxygen or lots of oxygen? You don't have to be a scuba diver to know lots of oxygen is the right answer.
What about pizza? Would I be happier after eating one bite of pizza? Or an entire pizza? The answer is obvious. Entire pizza please.
And finally, sloths. Do I want one sloth? Or many sloths? Hundreds of sloths? I want the most amount of sloths possible, thank you.
So clearly, this theory about "less is more" is somewhat flawed. It is a fallacy possibly perpetuated by a diminutive phallus. That's my guess anyway.
However ... are there any circumstances where less really IS more?
Let us turn to the examination of tulips. I have 3 control groups for you to consider. The $1, $7 and $40 arrangement of tulips.
Table of Contents
The $1 tulip.
The $1 tulip will be representing the "less" group.
The $7 tulips.
The $7 tulips will be representing the mama bear group.
The $40 tulips.
The $40 tulips will be representing the "more" group.
So. Now that you have the information and visuals, it's time to collect the data. What do you think? In the case of orange tulips arranged for pleasing the eye, is the widely accepted theory true? Is less, more?
Or ... is MORE more?
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JamieK
I would have to splurge and go with the $40 arrangement; stunning!
Also, this is great incentive to follow through on my plan for next Fall/Spring: Plant a whole bed of tulips for cutting purposes only.
Terri-Lynn
More is always the answer!
Like money. I want more.
Melody Madden
Definitely the biggest grouping ... just cause it makes me feel all springy and happy inside..
Pat
The "most" looks stunning. I love tulips but have never had a bouquet that big. Frankly, never thought of displaying tulips in such large quantitiies. Leave it to you!
P.S. I have similar suitcases from my deceased Aunt. They're storing stuff in my crawl space.
Karen
Pat - If you have room, you should take them out and display them! You can still use them for storage but it's more convenient. Mine are currently holding sewing supplies, extra sheets and hidden Christmas/birthday gifts. Oops. ~ karen
Laura
All are beautiful but I'd say Mamma size...only cause my budget wouldn't allow for MORE! What is your secret to keeping them beautiful for as long as possible?!
Karen
Laura - I don't have a secret. Half the time I don't even use flower preservative. I change the water maybe once over the course of the week and just leave them alone. The *real* trick to making them last long for tulips is buying them when they're still tightly closed. NOT open and pretty already. ~ karen
Nancy Blue Moon
Karen is right..if you buy them already open you won't get to enjoy them nearly as long..
Karyn
I'm all about the More please...just not so much about the price tag. Although I do have many tulips growing in the yard so maybe I could get that many and save the cash! Lovely arrangements though, all of them.
Blandine
Tulips are like oxygen. So yeah, definitely the $40 bouquet.
Sally
More! More! More! And soooo worth the $40 dollars.
Pam
I'm all for the more is more... Love them in grand proportions. Of course, it's still 0 degrees here and I'm jonesin' for a color other than dirty end of the season snow... Ask this question again in August and my more is more stance might have changed...
Signed,
Cold in Canada
Karen O.
Everything in moderation, even tulips. The "less" group is just as underwhelming as the "more" group is overwhelming. For me, it's all about having just enough, but not going overboard. So, my vote is for the mama bear group. :)
Karen O.
On a side note... today is my birthday and my boyfriend got me a mama bear group of pink tulips. So, I might be a little biased...
Suzi
It really depends on what you are trying to achieve. They are all beautiful in their own right. I love tulips and if my husband were to bring me some I would go for the $40 arrangement. However one is a simple statement of beauty as well as the $7.
mimiindublin
Did you really go out and spend $40 on tulips? For a survey?
I'm with the middle people. Or even less, if not just sticking out one side of the vase (I like symmetry)
Karen
Mimi - Well I had the blog as an excuse to do it. The blog is my business, so I have to invest in it for posts quite often! This was just a lucky opportunity. Usually I have to invest in stuff like printer ink, new hard drives and upgraded servers. :) ~ karen
mimiindublin
lol good excuse!
Kim
The $40 arrangement is stunning. Made me gasp! Definitely more for me, although, I'd take one vinyl album over 40 CD's any day!!
The mama bear group is a very close second :-)
Maureen
I'm in the middle on this one. When the arrangement gets too big, I'm feeling funeral or wedding. Same thing, actually.
Tracy McCabe Stewart
I am not normally a "middle of the road" kind of person on anything, but I like the $7 bunch the best. Enough there to not look lonely or cheap, not so much that it looks like you were trying too hard. The poor $1 arrangement needed a mirror to find a friend. Also, the middle arrangement has an ikebana sort of feel that I really like. I am a sucker for a Japanese influence.
Ahnnie
More. The floppy orange color block speaks to the car mitt. Tulips are so flaccid as cut flowers though. It's almost as if you take their souls when you cut them and they droop in response.
Deb J.
I knew I had read this somewhere so I went through my books and apparently tulips (especially store-bought tulips) can get air in their stems which makes them flop. If you want to minimize this, cut the bottom with a sharp knife on the diagonal, then take a pin and poke the stem through just under the flower. Then wrap them in paper to keep them upright and put them in cool water for a few hours. They will hydrate and stand up better. Never tried it but ... Maybe search on conditioning flowers. Worth a try. Plus I know I read (and have observed) that tulips continue to grow after they are cut I.e. get taller. Kinda weird but ...
julie
Each of those BEAUTIFUL arrangements is absolutely lovely, each is perfect for its location...so clearly, MORE KAREN is the key....no matter what else is goin' on.
Debbie Neal
MORE! MORE!MORE!
Fresh flowers make me happy!!!
Becca
I'm going with mama bear... just right. The extra $33 will be used to buy the bottle of wine, pork tenderloin and asparagus to consume in the gentle glow of the tulips.
AmieM
Wow, those are A LOT of tulips! I guess that makes me a middle to less person.