How to Preserve Fresh Cut Flowers

Make your fresh cut flowers last longer by following these simple steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water, preferably distilled
• Vase or other container
• Sharp Knife or pruning shears
• Commercial flower food - OR -
• 1 C. water
• 1 C. 7-Up
• 1/2 tsp. bleach

1. Cut fresh-cut flowers on a slant with a sharp knife or pruning shear under running water. Cut any leaves that will end up under water in the vase. Leave rose thorns on. Plunge flowers immediately into a vase that is pre-filled with lukewarm water. Use cold water for daffodils, tulips, and other bulb flowers.

2. Before arranging your fresh-cut flowers, take them in the vase and put the flowers in the refrigerator for a few hours. This will lengthen their life.

3. Change the water of your fresh-cut flowers every day or two. Before putting them back into the vase, cut the stems again under running water.

4. Keep fresh flowers out of direct sunlight. At night, put them in the refrigerator to prolong their life.

5. Add food to your fresh-cut flowers for an even longer life. Use one of these two methods:
   
   1) Commercial flower food (easiest)
   2) 1/2 C. water, 1/2 C. 7-Up, 1/2 tsp. bleach (cheapest)

Tips & Warnings

• Daffodil stems contain toxins that will kill your other fresh flowers. Give them their own vase.