Tips to Extend the Life of Cut Flowers

Your bouquet is gorgeous. Now how do you keep your cut flowers looking fresh longer than a day or two? Here are some tips to help extend the life of cut flowers.

Tip #1: Cut in Early Morning

If you are cutting the flowers yourself, cut in the early morning when temperatures are cool. Look for just-opened flowers, and be sure to avoid selecting any diseased flowers.

Tip #2: Get to Water Fast

Use a sharp knife or shears to make a sharp slanted cut. This will improve water-uptake. Then get your cut flowers out of the air and into water as quickly as possible to avoid wilting. Water-uptake is a major player in keeping your flowers fresh.

Tip #3: Remove Foliage

Remove all lower leaves that would rot below water level. Foliage in water will stink and shorten the life of your fresh-cut flowers. Also, rotting leaves don't look very pretty through a clear vase.

Tip #4: Use Clean Vase

Be sure your vase is clean. Wash it well with soapy water and rinse. A dirty vase introduces bacteria and fungi that could shorten the life of your cut flowers.

Tip #5: Use Warm Water

The temperature of your water is an important factor in extending the look and life of your cut flowers. Use warm water, not hot. Warm water helps harden the flowers.

Tip #6: Avoid Hard and Soft Water

Avoid using hard water, because it leaves white deposits. Also, avoid using soft water, because the sodium content is bad for flowers. Mineral-free water is a good choice.

Tip #7: Change the Water

Empty your vase of water each day, and start with fresh. Be sure to clean the vase well. You might also consider rinsing off the flower stems before returning the cut flowers to the vase of fresh water.

Tip #8: Cut Stems Again

Stems of flowers that have been exposed to the air, need to be re-cut at a slant, about an inch or two up the stem. If you can make this cut under water, even better. Especially do it when first cut, and then every other day, cut another inch off the stem. It opens up the stem more and helps hydrate the flowers.

Tip #9: Keep Cut Stems Out of Air

Remember to keep fresh-cut flower stems out of the air. If you are using florist foam for your cut flowers, be sure it sinks to the bottom of the water. This removes all the air bubbles before you stick in the flower stems.

Tip #10: Keep Cut Flowers Cool

Keep your cut flowers out of direct sunlight or warm places. Avoid placing your arrangement near heaters, a fireplace, on top of a warm appliance, or in a draft. You will hydrate cut flowers with warm water, but you will place them in a cool place.

At night, move your bouquet into a cool room or the coolest place in your home. If you don't have a cool room, consider placing your cut flowers in the garage overnight.

Tip #11: Mist Your Cut Flowers

If you live in a dry climate or you are heating your home, you will want to mist your cut flowers with a mister every now and then. It helps hydrate them.

Tip #12: Use a Cut Flower Preservative

Cut flowers thrive on a sugar source, and they do better when you prevent bacteria from growing in the water. That's why it pays to use a cut flower preservative. Several commercial brands are available.

But you can make your own cut flower preservative. The State Journal shares this recipe for a homemade version. Simply add 2 teaspoons fresh or bottled lemon juice, 1 tablespoon sugar, and ¼ teaspoon bleach into a quart of warm water.

Key Tips to Remember

When you want to extend the life of your cut flowers, consider these tips. Above all, remember to keep your water fresh, keep bacterial contamination low, and keep the location cool. Now you can enjoy your beautiful bouquet for several days longer.

Source:
Andrea Zimmerman, "Extend the life of fresh-cut flowers", The State Journal
http://www.sj-r.com/archive/x114015032/Extend-the-life-of-fresh-cut-flowers