At a symposium organised by the IBC (International Bulb centre) a new forcing method for tulips on water is rapidly increasing in popularity. The new method can reduce production costs by one Euro cent per scent (a significant saving in the case of tulip production). Harvesting is clean, easy and takes about 30% less time. Over the last 2 years cultivation of tulips on water has increased from 20% to 40% of the total production in Holland. An EC-value of 1-2 mS/cm is favourable and this EC (conductivity) can also be used to control stem length. Not all problems have been resolved; there is a greater incidence of Phytophthora and a percentage of weaker leaves and stems is explained by a lack of Calcium. www.ibc.com E-mail: ibc@bulbsonline.org