Whether you’re getting them from a local florist or cutting them yourself from your own garden, knowing how to properly care for your cut flowers can mean prolonged enjoyment from those flowers inside your home. Today we’d like to share with you some of the best secrets of how to prolong life of cut flowers.
Cut in the Morning
If you’re cutting flowers from your own garden, cut them in the morning. Just-opened flowers are in the perfect condition to be transferred to a vase, and they will typically last a bit longer than flowers cut later in the day or evening. If getting flowers from a florist, try to choose only the freshest arrangements. Most florists will happily tell you when the flowers you’re interested in were cut, and sometimes they’re able to cut fresh flowers for you while you wait.
Cut the Stems in Water
Once you have your flowers inside, you’ll want to cut the stems once again before placing them in their new home. Place the stems in warm water inside a vase and cut the stems while they’re submerged. This ensures that no air enters the stems, so the cut flowers will be able to pull water from the vase without any interruptions or bubbles. Cutting the stems at an angle will allow them greater access to the vase’s water as well.
Use Vase Food
Using a vase food can help your cut flowers survive even longer in a vase. Use a commercial food, or make your own by mixing 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and ¼ teaspoon of bleach to a quart of water in your vase. Add ¼ teaspoon of bleach every few days to ensure a long and healthy vase life for your cut flowers.
Looking for a Florist?
If you’re looking for a florist to help you brighten up your own or a loved one’s home, TalkLocal can help. Our free concierge service can connect you to local florists who will be happy to assist you.
