So you treated yourself to a beautiful bouquet of cut flowers fresh from the market, now what? I’ve tried everything from ice water to spraying them with hairspray, on yeah, and only replacing a third of the water. The truth is none of these will keep cut flowers fresh.
In the past, I would buy flowers, and after a few days, they were dead. After some trial and effort, I’ve figured out how to keep cut flowers fresh longer, sometimes up to a full two weeks.
Do Some Cut Flowers Last Longer Than Others?
Prestige Flowers mentions, “Apart from this, the only other factor that can influence your flowers’ life is genetics. Some flowers just last longer than others because that’s the wonderful way in which nature works.”
I couldn’t have said that more eloquently. Keeping in mind with proper care here is a list of some cut flowers that last longer than others:
- Roses
- Mini Cala lilies
- Sunflowers
- Chrysanthemums
- Gladiolas
- Prairie Gentian
I’m looking at the list above you can spot some popular bloom that is missing. Here’s a list of other popular flowers that are a bit needier.
- Gerbera daisies
- Hydrangea
- Dahlias
- Gardenia
- Tulips
How to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh
Now that we know which flowers are most likely to stay fresh longer let’s talk about tips to keep cut flowers fresh.
Step One: Go Straight Home
Any prolonged time out of water or exposure to heat will lessen the lifespan of cut flowers.
STEP TWO: TREAT YOUR CUT FLOWERS
Before arranging your flowers in a pretty vase, you will want to treat them to fight against bacteria.
Prepare a vase or pitcher with 16 oz hot water (yes, I said hot water.) The water should hot but not boiling; think of it as a similar temperature to washing dishes.
Mix in 1 Tbsp of household bleach and a half packet of flower food. Don’t worry if you don’t have flower food you can use 1 Tbsp of Sugar and 1 asprin as a substitute.
STEP THREE: CUT THE STEAM OF THE FLOWERS
You want to cut the steams one at a time to inspect each steam for brown spots or damage. Always cut above this area to reveal fresh with the flesh of the stem.
STEP FOUR: REMOVE ANY DEAD LEAVES
You want to remove any brown or damaged leaves from the steam. Remember, water travels up the steam, so these leaves will take most of the water before it hits the top.
Step Five: Let Them Drink Up!
Place the flowers in the hot water mixture for one hour. You’ll want to place this container in a cool area away from direct sunlight.
Step Six: Finally Time to Arrange Your Cut Flowers
You should notice that the flowers are refreshed and ready for their new vase. Speaking of the vase, you want to ensure that it is clean.
Add fresh warm-room temperature to the vase and half (1/4) the flower food you have left. Arrange the flowers to your liking.
STEP SEVEN: REFRESH THE WATER
To get your flowers’ maximum lifespan, you will want to change the water every few days. The varies depending on the flowers, but it’s time to change if the water appears cloudy.
WHAT TIPS DO YOU USE TO KEEP CUT FLOWERS FRESH?
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xo CanDe
