How to Prolong the Life of Fresh-Cut Flowers

When a flower is cut away from its plant, it no longer receives the nourishment it needs to grow. Floral preservatives provide that nourishment in the form of chemicals that kill bacteria, yeasts and fungi; an acid that helps water move up the stem; and sugar, which feeds the flower. The old wives' tale of adding a penny and an aspirin works because the copper acts as a fungicide and the aspirin adds acid.

Things You'll Need

• A sharp, non-serrated knife
• Fresh flowers
• Warm water
• Vase
• Floral preservative

Instructions

1. Scrub, clean and thoroughly rinse a flower vase before using it.

2. Fill the flower vase halfway with warm water (110 degrees). However, if you're working with bulb flowers, such as daffodils, hyacinths or tulips, use cool water.

3. Add a floral preservative. Dr. Robert Black, a consumer horticultural specialist, recommends floral preservatives such as Floralife, Petalife, Morlife, Roselife or Everbloom. You can also make your own floral preservative by mixing one quart of water with ½ tsp. bleach, 1 tbsp. sugar and 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice.

4. Remove all leaves that will be below the water line in your vase. Do not remove thorns. Cut at least one inch off of the stem while holding it under water, diagonally across the stems so that more surface is exposed to the water.

5. Place each cut flower immediately into the vase of water and floral preservative.

6. Place your flowers in a cool spot where they get bright, but indirect light.

7. Pour the old water out of the vase every two days and replace it with fresh, room-temperature water and floral preservative. Remove any withered blooms or dried leaves daily.

Tips & Warnings

• - If you're cutting flowers from a plant, choose roses, irises, daffodils and gladiolas when they are buds. But if you're after marigolds, dianthus or delphiniums, choose flowers that have opened.

• - The best time to cut outdoor flowers from their plants is in the morning when it's cool, they have the most food stored, and their fragrance is fresh and strong.

• - Moving your vase of fresh flowers to a cool place at night will prolong their beauty.

• - Do not take the thorns off of rose stems. It will shorten the flowers' lives.

• - Do not put daffodils in the same vase as other flowers. Their stems produce a substance that can harm other plants.

• - Do not display flowers close to fruit. Fruit gives off a gas that can age flowers faster.

• -According to Dr. Black, the worst place to place fresh flowers is where it's hot, in direct sunlight or in a draft.

References

• Garden Gazebo
• Garden Guides.com