Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Properly cut and prepare the flowers
• Part 2 of 3: Keep cut flowers fresh
• Part 3 of 3: Make your own flower food
• Tips
• Warnings

Many types of flowers will last for a week or more if you care for them properly, and even flowers that normally only live for a very short time can extend their lifespan by a few days. It helps if you put the flowers in a cool place and away from drafts. For best results, you should feed the flowers with sugar and acid and keep the vase clean so that bacteria and fungi do not stand a chance.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Properly cut and prepare the flowers

1. Cut the flowers at the right time. Flowers don't all last for the same length of time, that depends on the variety, and you have to cut them off at the right time in their development. For flowers with multiple buds on each stem, such as delphinia or lilacs, at least one bud should already be open so you can see the color inside. Flowers with only one flower per stem, such as marigolds or sunflowers, do best if they are completely open before you cut them.
2. Cut flowers when it is still cold outside. Flowers lose less moisture when it is still cold outside, such as in the early morning or night. Cut flowers as early as possible in the morning, then they retain the most moisture so that they stay fresh longer. Late evening is also an option, although the flowers have not yet benefited from the dew.
3. Place the flowers in a large, clean vase. Always use a clean vase to reduce the chance of bacteria and other microorganisms that can infect the flowers. Choose a vase with a neck wide enough for all stems.
   • Place flowers of different lengths in separate vases so that you can see all the flowers well.
4. Place freshly cut flowers in warm water (optional). Immediately after cutting, place the flowers in 43ºC water, and then place the vase in a cool place for an hour or two. The warm water allows the water molecules to enter the stem more quickly, while the cool air allows the flowers to lose less moisture. Thanks to this combination, the flowers receive a lot of water in a short time, so that the flowers remain fresh for longer.
5. Place the flowers in lukewarm water. The ends of the stems should always be in the water. Lukewarm water is easier to absorb, so put room-temperature water in the vase if you are not using the warm water method described above.
   • Flowers with a bulb on them do better in cold water.

Part 2 of 3: Keep cut flowers fresh

1. Remove any leaves that are under water. Leaves that are below water level on the stem can rot, causing bacteria to enter the water that can contaminate and damage the rest of the plant. Cut off any leaves that are in the water.
2. Change the water. Change the water every day to keep your flowers fresh. Make sure all the dirt is out of the vase before you put fresh water in it, to prevent contamination with bacteria or fungi.
   • Even if flowers are in floral foam or oasis, you have to water them. Let the foam sink gently into the water, because if you push it down too hard, harmful air bubbles can get into the stems.
3. Trim the stems regularly. You can cut off the stems every time you change the water. Use sharp scissors or a knife to cut the stems at a 45º angle. By cutting the stems diagonally, the surface with which the flower can absorb water is greatest.
   • Always trim or trim the stems of store-bought flowers diagonally before placing them in a vase.
   • Especially with roses, air bubbles can form in the stems, making it difficult for the flowers to absorb water. To prevent this, you can cut or trim the roses under water.
4. Use flower food. Flower food for cut flowers is available at the flower shop, garden center and some supermarkets. Flower food contains all the ingredients for the flowers to bloom, including sugar for energy, acid to stabilize the colors and pH of the water and substances to kill bacteria and fungi. Use the flower food as indicated on the packaging.
   • If you don't want to use store-bought flower food, read on at Make your own flower food for easy homemade alternatives.
5. Keep the plants away from dangers from the environment. Do not place flowers in the sun, on the TV or near other heat sources. Also, don't put them too close to fruit, as fruit emits ethylene, causing the flowers to wilt more quickly. Draft and wind, even when it's cool, cause moisture loss, which means that the flowers don't last as long.
6. Take out wilted flowers. Remove all wilted flowers from the vase as soon as you notice them, otherwise they will spread ethylene and cause the other flowers to wilt as well. Dispose of dead flowers on the compost pile, dry them for decoration, or dispose of them in another room.

Part 3 of 3: Make your own flower food

1. Add lemonade and bleach to the water. Sprite, 7-up or other lemonade provide the necessary sugar and acids to keep the flowers fresh. Use one part lemonade to three parts water, and add a few drops of bleach to kill harmful microorganisms. This mixture is often even more effective than the flower food from the store.
   • Do not use light lemonade, because it contains no sugar.
   • Do not use cola or other dark lemonades as they can be too sour for the flowers.
2. Add sugar, lemon juice, and bleach as an alternative. Mix a small amount of lemon juice (30 ml) in a liter of water. Add a tablespoon of sugar to energize the flowers. As with the recipe above, a little bleach (a few drops) can help kill bacteria and fungi.
   • Add just a few drops of lemon juice and a pinch of sugar to a small vase.
   • If the water is hard, you can use a little more lemon juice to balance it. Be careful though, as too much acid can damage the flowers.
   • Daisies, sunflowers and their relatives from the Asteraceaefamily can release a glue-like substance from the stem. If there are other flowers in the same vase, it is important to add some acid to the vase, otherwise the stems of these other flowers can become closed.
3. Know what vodka can do. Adding a few drops of vodka to the vase prevents the flowers from producing ethylene, a gas that causes withering. This can help, but it is not a substitute for bleach as it does not kill microorganisms.
4. Don't use too much bleach. Some people use too much bleach, which can cause the stems and flowers to lose their color.
5. Be careful with aspirin or vinegar. Ground aspirin or vinegar can also be a source of acid, but it appears to be less effective than lemon juice or lemonade. If you use too much aspirin, the flowers can wilt more quickly and the stems can turn gray.
6. Know why copper coins don't help. Copper can kill fungi, but the copper from mints is not water soluble. By throwing coins in the water, your flowers will no longer stay fresh.

Tips

• When roses start to hang, run the entire rose under warm water to rehydrate it. This is a last resort that will not always work.

Warnings

• Cut daffodils and hyacinths can produce chemicals that can kill the other flowers in the vase. Keep these flowers in their own vase for at least 12 hours before adding them to a bouquet.
• If you remove the thorns from roses, the roses will not stay beautiful for as long, but you can safely remove thorns that are under water.
• Dry bouquets can be sprayed with hairspray to keep them looking good for longer. However, this does not work with fresh flowers.