How to Make Cut Zinnias Last Longer
Zinnias produce colorful blooms that make excellent cut flowers. In fact, the more you cut them, the more flowers they will produce. To get your cut zinnias to last longer, keep a few things in mind when cutting them from the plants and a few more things when preparing them for their vase or container. With proper care, you can enjoy your cut zinnias for at least a week, if not longer. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Care for your garden zinnias properly. Keep the soil moist and fertilize them with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks with amounts specified on the label. This will encourage healthy, large blooms that you can enjoy as cut flowers for a longer amount of time.
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Cut zinnias in the late afternoon, evening or in the morning. Do not cut them in the hot afternoon. Also, select zinnias that are just beginning to open or all the way open, rather than ones with closed buds.
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Carry a bucket of lukewarm water -- approximately 100 to 110 degrees F -- to place the cut stems into.
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Cut the flower stems near the bottom of the plant, which will encourage the zinnias to keep blooming. Make a clean cut and place the stems in the bucket.
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Mix in a packet of floral preservative into a vase or another container filled with lukewarm water. The water should be high enough to cover about half the length of the stems.
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Cut off the zinnia leaves that would otherwise be immersed in water in your vase. Also, cut off any damaged or diseased leaves.
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Recut the bottom of your zinnia stem under warm running water. Use a sharp knife or a pair of hand clippers. Cut them diagonally, at a 45-degree angle, and at least 2 inches shorter than they were cut originally.
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Place the stems immediately in the vase or container of water and arrange as desired. Set the vase in a cool area of the home, away from drafts. Ideally, the area should be humid.
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Add more water every day and when the water becomes cloudy or has a foul odor, replace it. Wash the vase or container, recut the stems and add another packet of floral preservative.
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References
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