A bouquet of flowers or a nicely done floral arrangements is more pleasurable if they will last longer. Here are 5 ways you should not miss in extending the life of your cut flowers.

  1. Trim the stem under water or under running water.

Secrets For Extending The Life of Cut Flowers | Source

Trim the end of each stem with a sharp, non-serrated knife under water at 45-degree angle. Make sure to submerge it in water after trimming so as to avoid air pockets to form that can block the path of water into the stem. Never ever use scissors as it can crash the flower stem and can cause it to die quickly.

Tip #1: When cutting flowers from the garden, do it early in the morning when the temperature is still cool. Then, place them in water immediately.

Tip #2: To improve the life of flowers that ooze a milky “sap”, immerse its bottom by 2 inches in boiling water for 10 seconds before using them in an arrangement.

 

  1. Remove wilted petals and leaves.

DIY Wedding flowers | Source

Any leaves or foliage submerged in the water will break down and can cause bacteria to form.  So remove any foliage from the part of the stem that will be submerged in water.

Tip #1: Don’t jam too many flowers in the vase as overcrowding stems can wilt them more quickly and release bacteria into the water.

Tip #2: Always pluck out wilted stems and leaves to keep the flowers looking fresh and avoid bacteria from forming.

 

  1. Put the arranged flowers in a clean vase.

Cleaning the inside of a glass vase | Source

Before you arrange the flowers to your vase, make sure they are clean and free from any bacteria. Use dish soap, hot water, and white vinegar or bleach to clean the inner side of the vase. A teaspoon or two of sugar and bleach, when added to the water, can feed the stems of the flowers and keep the water free from bacteria.

 

  1. Feed the cut flowers with solutions or preservatives.

DIY: SPRING FLOWERS | Source

Flowers need food to help them grow and keep them healthy. For cut flowers,  foods are used to improve the flow of water on the stems, to help buds open and last longer, and to reduce the growth of bacteria and fungi. The following solutions are good to feed to flowers:

  • One part Lemon-lime soda and three parts water. Plus ¼ teaspoon household bleach per quart to keep solution clear.
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon sugar, and ¼ teaspoon bleach per quart. Add another ¼ teaspoon bleach to vase every 4 days.
  • Commercial flower preservative sold in flower shops and supermarkets.

Tip: Aspirin or  vinegar is rarely effective.

 

  1. Change the water on the vase every other day and keep the flowers away from direct heat.

How-To Clean a Flower Vase | Source

Change the water and cut the stem of the flowers at least every other day. Keep them out of direct sunlight or any place that exposes them to heat such as heaters, fireplaces or appliances. Keep the flowers cool. The higher the temperature, the faster they deteriorate.

Read How You Can Keep Your Flowers Live Longer for more tips on extending the life of cut flowers, and find the freshest flowers online at zFlowers.com.