Add Hours to Your Flowers

The addition of cut flowers is an excellent way to bring color into your home any time of the year. Whether the blooms have come from the florist or from your own garden, you will want them to remain attractive for as long as possible.

Re-cut the flower stems using a sharp knife. Remove at least one-half inch of stem to expose a fresh surface. Stems, especially rose stems, should be re-cut under water. A freshly cut stem absorbs water freely, so it is important to cut at a slant to avoid crushing the stem and to prevent a flat-cut end from resting on the bottom of the vase. The slant cut facilitates stem insertion into florists’ foam. Place the re-cut flowers in water immediately.

Remove excess foliage. Excess foliage exposed to the air increases water loss. Submerged leaves decay and hasten the decline of cut flowers by encouraging microbial growth.

Place stems in 100 to 110°F water. Warm water moves into the stem more quickly and easily than cold water. Allow flowers to stand in the water for at least 20 minutes prior to arranging. Water that is high in fluorides or salts hastens the death of cut flowers. If this is the situation, the use of a water filter or distilled water should be considered.

Use a flower preservative in the water. Besides providing food, preservatives inhibit bacteria and fungi. They promote water and nutrient uptake. When the solution begins to get cloudy, which indicates the presence of microorganisms, it is time to provide fresh solution. Many “home remedies” such as aspirin or copper pennies in the vase water do not prolong the life of cut flowers.

Wrap the flowers until they are crisp. After the flowers have been placed in warm water, wrap a piece of paper or plastic around them. This cover prevents the rapid air movement over the flowers and reduces water loss. After the flowers become crisp (in about 2 hours), you may arrange them.

Wash the container with a fresh solution of 90 percent water and 10 percent bleach to kill bacteria. Bacteria can multiply and clog the water conducting tubes of the flower stems. Use only fresh oasis or floral foam. Previously used material will most like be contaminated with bacteria.

Avoid excessive heat or moving air. Do not place flowers in direct sunlight, over radiator, or on a television set. Heat reduces flower life since flower aging occurs more rapidly in high temperature conditions. It is important to avoid all drafty locations because warm or moving air removes water from flowers faster than it can be absorbed through the stems.

Do not mix fresh flowers with old or damaged flowers or with fruits or vegetables. This rule applies whether the flowers are in the refrigerator or in an arrangement. Damaged, aging flowers and many flesh fruits and vegetables produce ethylene gas that shortens fresh flower life. Carnations will close, and snapdragons will drop florets prematurely when exposed to ethylene.

Consumer Horticulture | Quick Reference