What a beautiful moment when someone gives you a bunch of flowers, wrapped in paper and brought straight from the flower shop. The beautiful flowers seem to say, "I'm thinking of you" in a warm and romantic way. Flowers show feelings, thanks, or welcome to the person who received them. If the flowers last longer, then you'll enjoy them longer, and they won't wither and dry out so quickly.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Warm Water
Step 1. Put the flowers in warm water as soon as possible
When the flower stalk is cut, the life support system is also cut off.
- Remove the flower from the wrapper as paper can damage the petals and cellophane can make the flower sweat.
- If the cut flower has been in the water for some time, cells begin to form on the surface of the cut stalk and interfere with water absorption. To work around this problem, cut the ends of the stems about 2 inches (5 cm) and put the flowers in water (preferably preservative), and allow the flowers to absorb as much water as possible before you arrange them.
Step 2. Fill a plastic bucket with warm water until it is -½ full
Use warm water because flowers absorb warm water better than cold water.
- Flowers only absorb water through the surface of the stalk that is cut, not from the side of the stalk. So you don't have to fill the bucket to the brim as the leaves on the stalks that are submerged in water will rot and contaminate the water. Bacteria will thrive in the water and the flowers will wither faster.
- Marigold, Chrysanthemum, Stock and Aster petals will give off an unpleasant odor if left submerged in water for a long time.
Step 3. Bring a bucket of warm water into the garden
Use sharp branch shears to cut the flower stalks at an angle because the wider surface allows better water absorption. Remove any leaves from the lower stalks that will be below the surface of the water. Immediately put the flowers into the water.
Step 4. Don't put too many flowers in the bucket
Leave enough space between the flowers so air can circulate. Putting too many flowers in the bucket can cause the petals to overlap and damage. Place the bucket in a cool, dark place and give the flowers a chance to absorb as much water as possible before arranging them. Use a smaller container for short-stemmed flowers.
Step 5. Let the flowers soak up the water for 4-5 hours, even better if left overnight, before arranging them
This step is called conditioning and allows the flower stalks to fill with water so the flowers are fresher. Flowers will last twice as long as flowers that are not properly prepared.
Step 6. Use preservatives to kill bacteria in the water
Flower preservatives can be purchased at a flower shop or supermarket. You can also pour a single dose of household bleach into the water. If you don't use preservatives, you'll need to change the water and cut the flower stalks at an angle every day. If you use preservatives, there is no need to cut the flower stalks and you only need to change the water about twice a week. Flowers like Freesia, Carnation and Lilies have multiple buds. If you add preservatives to the water, the flower buds will bloom more easily.
Method 2 of 4: Adding Aspirin
Step 1. Place the cut flowers in a vessel or vase
Fill the vessel or vase with water up to half.
Step 2. Add one aspirin tablet
Step 3. Wait for one day
Repeat the same steps; add one more aspirin tablet.
Step 4. After that, you don't need to do anything else
Aspirin will help keep flowers fresh for 5-9 days without needing another aspirin.
Method 3 of 4: Using Homemade Plant Nutrients
Step 1. Prepare homemade nutrition for plants
Flowers need nutrients, water and a clean environment. Therefore, the water used must contain some nutrients, such as sugar, and a little bleach to slow the growth of mold and bacteria. Here's a simple recipe that you can make yourself:
Mix 1 liter of water with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of sugar, teaspoon of bleach. Pour the mixture into a vase
Step 2. Cut the flower stalks
This step allows the stalk to be exposed to the water better. Cut the dry ends of the stalks at an angle so the stalks can absorb as much water as possible.
Cut the ends of the stalks, which tend to become rubbery and covered, every 3-4 days to keep the flowers fresh for longer
Step 3. Remove the petals
Leaves on waterlogged stalks will rot quickly and encourage fungal growth. Prune all leaves from the stems that are below the surface of the water.
Step 4. Place the trimmed flowers in the homemade nourished water
Add more water if necessary.
Method 4 of 4: Other Ways to Keep Flowers Fresh
Step 1. Try some of the methods below:
- Add 1 teaspoon of sugar or a pinch of salt mixed with baking soda.
- Crush a multivitamin tablet and add it to the water.
- Use aspirin. Put the flowers in a cool place and add the aspirin to the water. Crush the aspirin first before adding it to the water.
Tips
- Wilted flowers can often be refreshed by submerging the stems to the flower heads in fairly hot water perpendicularly. Once the water has cooled, allow the flowers to stand upright in the water for a few hours before arranging them. Roses can often be refreshed after soaking the entire stem and flower heads in warm water for half an hour.
- Give special treatment to certain flowers to extend their life. Flowers with woody stems do not absorb water immediately. Flowers with woody stems include Lilacs, Hydrangeas, and Rhododendrons. To help break up the thick fibers, you can split the ends of the stalks up about 5 cm. Then, place the stems in a container of warm water and allow the flowers to absorb as much water as possible before stringing them together.
- Most flowers should be cut in bud or half bloomed. You will have the pleasure of watching the flowers bloom slowly. The color of the petals will begin to appear. If you cut them too early, the flower buds may never bloom. This is especially true for tulips and roses. The green sepals that wrap around the base of the flower should begin to curl downwards. Iris and Daffodils should be cut after half blooming. Gladiolus flowers should be picked when the three or four florets on the bottom have bloomed and the florets on the top are still in bud. Carnations, Marigolds, Hydrangeas, Camellias, Gerberas and Chrysanthemums should be cut when the flowers are in full bloom.
- Cut off the white part at the base of the flower bulb, for example in Tulip, Daffodil, Jonquil, Narcissus, Iris and Hyacinth. Only the green part of the stem can absorb water. Daffodils, Jonquil and Narcissus have a thick sap that oozes from the tip of the stalk when cut. Wipe off the sap before placing the stalk in the water. Keep these flowers separate from other flowers during the conditioning process as the sap can affect other flowers. The viscous sap can block the ends of the stems and prevent water absorption. Place the stalks in the water to a height of about 7.5 cm standing and let sit for six hours before assembling. Bulbous flowers prefer shallow water. If you put Daffodils, Jonquils, and Narcissus in deep water, the thick flower stems will submerge and shrivel, and the petals will become paper-like.
- If you cut the flowers yourself, it's best to do it in the morning or evening. Sugar stores in sticks are most abundant in the morning and evening. The ideal cutting time is in the early morning when the flower stalks contain a lot of water after being exposed to the cool night air. Never pick flowers at midday when the sun is at its hottest. The sun's heat reduces the water content of the stems and the flowers don't last much longer. If it rained the night before and the flowers are wet, shake them gently to remove excess water. Too much water often damages flowers, especially flowers with delicate petals.
- If you can't put the flowers in water, put them in a sturdy plastic bag and fill them with a little water. Tie the plastic bag with a rubber band. Another method is to wrap the flowers in damp newspaper. If you are traveling by car, place the flowers in the coolest place. Once you get home, cut back the ends of the stems, and place the flowers in water and condition them overnight before arranging them.
Warning
- If you place flowers near a fruit bowl, the fruit will emit natural gases that ripen the fruit and will cause the flowers to wither faster.
- Do not place flowers near a heater, on a television or in direct sunlight as the heat will affect the life of the flowers. Do not place flowers near a fan or in a dry place. Do not place flowers near the microwave as they may be exposed to radiation.
