With proper care, many types of cut flowers can last a week or more, and even short-lived flowers can stay fresh a few days longer. Placing the flowers in a cool place away from air flow is significantly helpful. For best results, add acid and sugar to the container/vase, and keep the container clean and free from bacteria and mold using bleach or another type of microbicide.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Cutting and Preparing New Cut Flowers
Step 1. Cut flowers at the right growing conditions
Different types of flowers last for different lengths of time, and must be cut under different growing conditions. Before cutting, flower types that have several buds on each stem, such as delphinias and lilacs, should have at least one bud that begins to bloom and shows internal coloration. Plants that have only one flower per stem, such as marigolds and sunflowers, perform best when allowed to fully bloom before cutting.
Step 2. Cut the flowers while it is still cool
The flowers lose very little water in cold weather, and especially during the cooler periods of the day/night cycle. If possible, cut fresh flowers when it's very early in the morning (before sunrise), so they will retain more water and stay fresh longer. Another time option is late at night, although cut flowers will not benefit from the night dew at that time.
Step 3. Place the flowers in a large, clean container
Always use a clean container, to reduce the risk of the flowers contracting bacteria or other microorganisms. Choose a container with a neck that is wide enough to make it easier to arrange the flower stalks.
Group flowers in different containers according to the length of the stem. Thus each flower can be seen clearly
Step 4. Put fresh cut flowers in hot water (optional)
As soon as the flowers are cut, place the stalks in water at about 110°F (43.5°C), but leave the container in a cool place for an hour or two. Hot water molecules move faster up the stem, while the flower loses less water to cool the air. The combination of these two effects will provide an additional amount of water for the consumption of flowers, so they will stay fresh longer.
This process is called "strengthening."
Step 5. Put the flower stalks in lukewarm water
The ends of the cut flower stalks should always be exposed to water. Warm water may be more easily absorbed by the flowers, so add room temperature (±20-25°C) water to the container if you are not going to use the 'hot water method' described above.
Use cold water for flowers that are still attached to the tubers
Part 2 of 3: Maintaining the Freshness of Cut Flowers
Step 1. Remove any leaves that are submerged in water
Leaves that are left below the surface of the water will rot and provide food for bacteria, which in turn will infect and damage the remaining flowers. Cut off any leaves that touch the water, whenever you find them.
Step 2. Change the water regularly
Change the water in the container every day to keep the flowers fresh. Make sure you clean all dirt from the container before adding clean water, to reduce the risk of transmission.
Water is needed even if the flowers have been equipped with foams for flower arrangement, some can absorb water (wet floral foam) and some do not (dry floral foam)-to hold the position of the stem in the container. Allow the foam to sink into the water on its own, as submerging with force may trap air bubbles in the stem
Step 3. Cut flower stalks regularly
You can trim the flower stalks every time you change the water, or at least every few days. Use scissors, plant shears, or a sharp knife to cut the flower stalks, and cut them at a 45° angle. An angled cut will expand the surface of the flower stalk, making it easier to absorb water.
- Cut off fresh, store-bought flower stalks immediately before placing them in the water.
- Roses are very susceptible to air bubbles trapped inside the stems, as they can block water absorption. To anticipate this, cut the roses below the surface of the water.
Step 4. Use a flower preservative
Flower preservatives or "floral foods" for cut flowers are available at florists, garden supply stores, or supermarkets. This preservative has all the ingredients a flower needs to thrive, including sugars for energy, acids to stabilize the color and pH of the water, and biocides to kill bacteria and fungi. Use this according to the packaging instructions.
If you don't want to buy commercial preservatives, or if existing commercial products don't work, check out the section on this article that talks about alternative homemade flower preservatives
Step 5. Keep plants away from risky environments
Keep cut flowers away from direct sunlight, heaters, television tops, and other sources of heat. Avoid placing cut flowers in the same room as fruit, as fruit releases ethylene gas which can cause flowers to wither. Airflow and light breezes, even cool ones, increase water loss and thus reduce flower life.
Step 6. Remove the wilted flower parts
Cut off any wilted flowers whenever you see them. Otherwise, the ethylene gas released by the withered flower will cause a chain reaction in other flowers. Turn the wilted flowers into compost, or dry them and make decorations, or throw them away from the fresh flowers.
Part 3 of 3: Making Flower Preservatives at Home
Step 1. Add orange soda and bleach to the water
Soft drinks like Sprite, 7 Up, or another pure soda (Sodium bicarbonate) can provide the sugar and acid that fresh flowers need. Use one part soda and mix it with three parts water, then add a few drops of bleach to kill microorganisms. The mixture may be even more effective than some commercial preservatives.
- Don't use diet sodas, as they usually don't contain the sugars that plants use for energy.
- Do not use cola drinks or other dark colored sodas, as they may be too acidic for the plant.
Step 2. Alternatively, add sugar, lemon juice and bleach
Instead, try using a little lemon juice, about 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters), in a quart of water. Add a tablespoon (15 mL) of sugar to the mixture to provide food for the flowers. As with the recipe above, a few drops of bleach can help control bacteria and mold.
- For smaller containers, simply add a few drops of lemon juice and two pinches of sugar.
- If you have water with significant mineral content, you may wish to add a little more lemon juice to balance. However, be careful, as too much acid can damage the plant.
- Asters, sunflowers, and similar flowers from the aster family/Asteraceae may release sticky materials such as glue from their stems. This acid is especially important if you are grouping other types of flowers in the same container, as it can help prevent other flower stalks from closing.
Step 3. Understand the effects of vodka
A few drops of vodka might prevent the flower's ethylene production. Ethylene is a compound/gas released by plants including flower/fruit parts that will wither or ripen. Vodka may be useful, but not as a substitute for bleach or other substances to kill microorganisms.
Step 4. Do not overuse bleach
Bleach is sometimes used as a preservative in higher concentrations than a few drops per container. Excessive use of bleach is risky, as the effect on preservation is very inconsistent, and may even cause the stems and flowers to lose their color.
Step 5. Be careful with aspirin and vinegar
Grinded aspirin and white vinegar are alternative sources of acid, but tend to be less effective than lemon juice or orange soda. Excessive use of aspirin, may even make the flowers wither faster or make the stems turn gray.
Step 6. Understand why using copper coins won't work
Copper kills mildew, but the copper in coins and the copper that coats other coins doesn't dissolve in water. Putting a coin in the flower-soaking water won't keep the flowers fresh for much longer.
Tips
If the cut rose is drooping and hanging down, put the entire rosette in warm water to rehydrate it. This step is a last resort, and will not always work
Warning
- Daffodils (narcissus flowers) and hyacinths (a type of lily) that are cut will release chemicals that can kill other flowers soaked in one container. Leave the two types of flowers in separate containers, for at least 12 hours, before arranging them in one container with other types of flowers.
- Removing the thorns of cut roses will reduce their resistance. However, you can remove thorns that are below the surface of the water.
- Hairspray (a sticky, quick-drying liquid chemical for styling hair) is used to preserve dry bouquets. These ingredients will not preserve fresh flowers.
