Longer Life for Cut Flowers

The following tips on flower care have originally been compiled by experts in the field of floristry in different countries. These procedures are known, tried, proven, and generally applied methods to maintain cut flowers in good condition. Applying them, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of your flowers for longer after purchasing or receiving them.

When purchasing flowers, pay attention to the condition of the selected flowers. They should look fresh and they shouldn’t have any yellowed or wilting leaves on them. When purchasing roses, you may want to press the flower heads lightly with two fingers, if they fell full and hard, they are fresh, if they feel soft they won’t last for many days. Purchasing the freshest possible flowers will enable you to enjoy more of their beauty for longer.

Use the special flower additives given to you by the florist on purchase. These additives will bring on a fuller blossoming, while providing the flowers at the same time with longer life and a healthy appearance. Flower additives slow down the development of microorganisms in the water, thereby preventing the stems rotting. Add it into clean water in a vase in a dosage consistent with the recommendations of the manufacturer for best effect. Purchasing additional flower additives is no big expense; without any problem, you can get it at any good florist’s shop and probably at the supermarket as well.

You can stop bacterial growth as well by adding colloidal silver to the water. The silver will stop bacterial growth efficiently without harming the flowers. If you don’t have the possibility to add colloidal silver, you may place a silver coin or silver ring at the bottom where most bacteria grow; it will help slow down bacterial development as well. Silver is a well known anti biotic against any form of microorganisms. But coin or ring should be real silver with a minimum silver content of 825.

A clean vase has a significant impact on the lifespan of your flowers. Vases should be thoroughly cleansed prior to use as dirty vases contain microorganisms which attach themselves to the flower stems. Vases with a coarse, grainy surface should be cleaned even more thoroughly than glass vases, because bacteria can hide in the surface indentures and develop faster after water is put into the vase. For an optimal result when cleaning a vase, use washing up liquid and a brush. Try to get into the corners as well. As an added plus, flowers represent more pleasingly in a clean vase.

It is important for the lifespan of your flowers that you prepare them before putting them into a vase. Cut diagonally across the ends of the stems in such a way as to cut a plain with as much surface as possible. You may use either a sharp knife or scissors to cut, whereby the knife is preferable as scissors squeeze the stems slightly. Flat cut flower stems placed on the bottom of a vase inhibit the absorption of water. When preparing Eucalyptus, you can add weeks to its life by once coating the leaves with olive oil.

Cut flowers are not meant to last forever and have a short life expectancy. If you want them to survive longer and in good condition, take care of their stems regularly, allowing them to absorb and conduct sufficient water. The end of the stems should be neither broken or nor crushed, as both lead to the destruction of the interior structure of the flower stem, while at the same time accelerating the formation of bacteria. Bacteria in turn block the surface for water absorption and the interior channels for water conduction in the stem. This makes it more difficult for water to get to flowers and leaves, reducing the length of their lifespan.

Leaves, like stems, may pollute the water in the vase due to an ongoing decay process. In the water, parts of plants like stems, leaves, or parts of them, attract bacteria and help them grow, which threaten the health of the flowers. Cloudy water, bad smell and stem rot show the presence of harmful microorganisms. Remember to always remove all foliage from the lower part of the stem immersed in water.

When selecting the place for the display of your vase and flowers, make sure not to put it near a heater or any other source of heat. High temperatures accelerate the wilting process in flowers and the growth of microorganisms. You should also avoid draughty and very sunny places as cut flowers are less resilient than plants with roots. Large variations in temperature are also quite harmful to cut flowers.

If you plan to set up a vase of flowers in your kitchen, take care that it is not placed near ripening fruits and vegetables. The latter give off ethylene, a gas that speeds up the aging process thereby accelerating the withering of your flowers. This particular gas causes leaves to yellow and fall off.

Don’t ever let your flowers run out of water. Check the water level in your vase on a regular basis and if necessary replenish it. Water should be changed and completely replaced every two to three days. If the arrangement is made with wet florist's foam, you should add water daily to the dish in which it is presented. It might be practical to use a small watering can or bottle for that purpose.

Every flower, even when it is the same type of flower, has a different life expectancy. Check the flowers in the vase every second or third day whether they still look fresh. Whenever you spot a withered flower or one with drooping petals, take it out and throw it away. Dying flowers do not look pleasing and they accelerate the aging process of the remaining flowers.

Choosing the right vase will also help. The vase should be wide enough not to squeeze the flower stems, as this hinders the water from going up into the flowers and leaves. Always use vases that let you reach the bottom when cleaning, otherwise, bacteria will lie dormant until you refill the vase with water for new flowers.