Choosing and Caring for Cut Flowers

If you are an avid flower gardener, or perhaps just enjoy purchasing pretty bouquets of flowers from the market, you want your flowers to look fresh and beautiful for as long as possible. Fresh flowers in the home can lift spirits and provide just the right touch to home décor. Keeping cut flowers pretty is much more than just sticking the stems in a vase of water. With a little preparation and care, you can keep your cut flowers looking fresh and beautiful for days.

First, know how to pick your flowers. If you are purchasing your cut flowers from a market or florist, you will need to know how to choose just the right stems. Do not hesitate to smell the flowers. After all, that is part of the reason why you are buying flowers. Cut flowers should have a clean, fresh smell. If the flowers or stems smell like old water, then it is possible that the flowers have been sitting around for a while. Likewise, flowers will a very strong odor may indicate that the stems are past its prime. If you purchase these kinds of flowers, then that may mean that they will not last very long once you take them home and put them in a vase.

The next thing to look at is the petal. Petals should never be lose or falling off the bloom. This means the stems are old. Petals on any kind of flowers should be firm and upright, not droopy. Buds that are just beginning to open means that the flowers are fresh and will last longer. Petals should not be spotted, wilted or yellow.

Now take a look at the stem. Although the stem does not show, this is an important part of the flower. The stem carries the water and nutrients to the bud. It is vital that the stems be long and clean. If they are broken, bent or smashed, then the stem will not carry adequate water supply to the top of the flower. Any time you find a stem that is dark in color, or soft means that the flower is too old to take home.

After you have carefully picked the flowers you intend to put in a vase, there are several things you can do to prolong the lives of each flower. When you get your flowers home, consider trimming the ends of the stem. Chances are you will do this anyway because the stems might be too long for the intended vase. When you cut the stems, use sharp, clean scissors or a floral clipper. Hold the stem under cool water and clip away about one inch. Make sure you cut at an angle. Also, trim away any excess foliage or leaves that will be under the water line. Leaves can cause bacteria to grow in the water, thus decreasing the life of your beautiful blooms. In addition, make sure that the vase you use is clean, too. Use a mild detergent to clean and make sure you rinse well. Any residue can hamper the life of your flowers.

If you find that you cannot trim and place your flowers in a vase right away, make sure you keep your bouquet cool. Find a place in your refrigerator and store until you are ready to use. You can also refrigerate the vase and water. This can help revive your flowers. A florist uses those refrigerated cases for a reason!

Now that you have your flowers in a vase, make sure you feed the bouquet. Many store bought flowers now come with a packet of flower food. These are great for keeping your bouquet pretty. If you do not have a packet from the store, you can purchase commercial flower food from a home gardening center. Make sure you read the directions and follow each step. Using too much can kill the flowers and using too little will not be effective.

Another important step in keeping your blooms fresh is to change the water frequently. Each time you change out the water, add more flower food. Changing the water once a day will help keep your flowers pretty much longer.

Last of all, choose the location of your fresh flower bouquet carefully. Keep the flowers away from windows and doors that get direct sunlight. This will decrease the life span of your flowers quickly. Also, keep the flowers away from heat sources such as a heater and fans. You can also extend the life of your blooms by placing your flowers in a cool area of the house or in the refrigerator at nighttime.

Enjoy your flowers. Treat them right and they will provide you with beautiful blooms for days.