How to Make Cut Flowers Last Longer

It's happened to us all. Your boyfriend brings you a beautiful bunch of flowers and the next day, they are already starting to droop and within a couple more days, you have to drop that gorgeous gift in the waste basket. But it doesn't have to be that way. There are methods of making your cut flowers stay alert and beautiful for a lot longer.

You may have heard that dropping a penny into the vase can help cut flowers survive longer. It's true, but that isn't the only trick in the book. It all begins when you first get those flowers.

First, you will want to fill a vase with water. Fill the sink while you are at it. Next, submerge the flower stems in the sink water and get a sharp pair of scissors or gardening shears. You will want to cut the stems at a 45º angle, about two or three inches above the original cut. Do this underwater to avoid having any air bubbles getting trapped in the newly cut stem.

Remove any leaves that would be underwater in the vase before arranging the flowers in the vase. Change the water every day and recut the stems every two days, just an inch or so above the previous cut. Sure, your flowers will slowly get shorter and shorter, but they will stay vibrant and beautiful for longer!

You can also add things to the water to make your flowers last. The penny idea is just one way to keep the flowers alive for longer. You can also try a couple drops of bleach in the water. Although this sounds like it would kill the flowers, it actually helps to preserve them and you will enjoy bright flowers for far longer. Remember to add the bleach each time you change the water!

An aspirin is also said to have a long-lasting effect on cut flowers. It is certainly worth a try. You can also use Clorox to keep the bacteria levels low in the water.

Cut flowers do well with a little nourishment. Try adding a pinch of sugar to the water, or use a clear soda in place of the regular water (you could use half a can of flat 7-up or Sprite, topped off with water). A capful of vodka is also rumored to help.

Making cut flowers last longer is certainly possible, even without that handy packet of powder from the florist. If you want to make your own cut flowers keep their bloom for longer, try the tips given above, on their own or in combination with each other.