Make Your Fresh Flower Bouquet Last Longer By Cutting the Stems

Why is it that the moment you bring home a fresh flower bouquet home, it seems the flowers immediately begin to drop and die? This doesn't have to be true. There are several things that you can do to make your cut flowers last longer.

1. If the flowers came in their own vase, check the water level immediately. Water levels are deliberately kept low to make delivery easier.

2. If you are cutting flowers from your own garden, try to do it early in the morning. This will ensure that flowers still have plenty of water in their stems and petals. As the day grows hotter, moisture is drawn away from flower.

3. Before placing flowers into water, make sure the stems have been carefully prepared so that they will take up water quicker. This includes cutting one-inch of the ends off at a forty-five degree angle with a sharp scissors or knife. Don't use dull scissors because they can crush the stem. If the stems are woody, split it about 1/2-inch from the bottom or crush it with a mallet. Also, remove any leaves from the part of the stem that will be submerged under water.

4. If possible, cut the stems under water. This will prevent air from getting into the stem.

5. You should also clean the stems using a vegetable brush. This is helpful for the flowers and will keep the water cleaner.

6. When dealing with tulips or hellebores, you should pierce the stem directly below the flower heads and at one-inch intervals down the stem with a sharp needle to prevent airlocks. Airlocks can prevent water from getting to the flower, causing them to die quicker.

7. Once the stems have been prepared, place them in deep water for a few hours before moving them to shallower water.

8. If any of the stems are broken or drooping, you can use a straw to stabilize them.

9. Tulips can be made sturdier by wrapping them in wet newspaper, and then placing them in two to three inches of water for about two hours.

10. Water should be changed every day or at least every other day. If you can't remove the flowers from the vase, use a turkey baster to remove the water. You should also mist the flowers with water on a daily basis.

11. Most flowers will prefer warm water because it is easier for them to absorb. Tulips and other cold weather blooms are an exception to this and will prefer cold water.

12. Use a mixture of water that is one tablespoon of bleach for each quart of water. The bleach will keep the water looking cleaner and kill any stench or bacteria from the water. Don't bother adding aspirin, vitamin pills, vinegar, or pennies-they don't work.

13. You can make your own version of commercial flower preservative by using a mixture of one-teaspoon sugar, one-teaspoon bleach, and two-tablespoons lemon or lime juice in a quart of warm water.

14. If flowers are placed in a glass vase, a few drops of food coloring to the water will help keep it looking nicer.

15. Cut flowers like cooler temperatures-between 40ºF and 50ºF is ideal. If possible, place the flowers inside your fridge at night or on the floor of your coolest room.

16. Never place flowers in the sun and protect them from heat and drafts. Even fans can cause them to wilt faster.

17. Dying flowers should be removed immediately because they emit ethylene gas that will cause the other flowers to wilt faster. Fruit also emits this gas and should be kept away from your flowers.

While nothing can make your flowers live forever, these simple steps will make them thrive a few days longer.