I love fresh cut flowers in a vase. In fact, every time I pass by the bouquets of fresh flowers at the farmers market my eyes glaze over because I want to buy them all and take them home with me.
On the rare occasion when I buy cut flowers or my MIL sends them to me, I am always amazed at how much longer they last than the ones I cut in my backyard. Well, it turns out those florists have some tricks up their sleeves—real secret squirrel stuff.
Here are a couple tips to try to make your cut flowers last longer:
- Cut flowers in the morning or evening when the weather is cooler and the buds are just starting to open or close.
- Cut stems at a slant, so there will be more surface area for the stem to suck up water.
- Immediately put the stem into water after cutting. Once the cut seals up, the flower can’t take up water.
- Make sure to cut off any leaves that will be in the water. Rotting leaves in the water will lead to faster decay.
- Add about ½ tsp. of sugar to water for a little flower pick-me-up. Also, a scant amount of bleach or vodka {or other clear alcohol} will help limit bacteria growth in the water.
- Keep cut flowers out of direct sunlight and away from fruit bowls {Which I am sure you have delicately arranged so that you can do an amazing oil painting. Ha.}
- Change the water completely every 2 days.
- Crush an aspirin and put it in the vase with water. It will extend the life of the flowers.
- Try placing pennies in the bottom of the vase. The copper makes the water more acidic, which prevents bacteria from growing.
- Give the petals a couple of spritzes of hairspray. It will prevent them from fading prematurely. {Plus, it will add volume and hold. Ha.}
Do you have any tips to getting fresh cut flowers to last longer?
~Mavis
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Jodee Stratton says
Singe the stems of Oriental Poppies and they will keep their petals much longer.
Linda says
I wonder if the one about the pennies has now become and old wive’s tale. Pennies are predominantly zinc now with very little copper in them.