Keeping Cut Flowers Fresh Longer
There is just something about fresh cut flowers that make our day, whether growing them in our home garden with the intention to brighten up our indoor living space or may have gotten them as a gift the beauty and presence of cut flowers can change the atmosphere and one’s attitude or mindset.
Have you ever walked into a banquet or reception hall with a beautiful display of fresh colorful-cut flowers, what was your reaction? I bet your first reaction was WOW as the sight of these flowers brought such an inviting and relaxing feeling with their amazing colors. But as beautiful as cut flowers are they do have an expiry date and will lose their luster.
The good news is with a few helpful tips you can enjoy your cut flowers a lot longer, below we will be discussing how this is done. If this is your desire then continue reading, I promise you it will be worth your time as you receive tips on how to keep cut flowers fresh longer.
10 Tips for Longer Lasting Fresh Flowers
1. A Clean Vase
I believe that the first step in having success with fresh-cut flowers is to start with a clean vase, a vase that is not clean can have a build-up of bacteria that can be pretty much harmful to fresh-cut flowers. To ensure that your vase is free of bacteria clean and scrub with a mixture of ten parts water to one part bleach. Mix this solution thoroughly and begin to scrub your vase from the inside out, once done proceed to rinse your vase thoroughly with fresh water.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has so many uses including being used to preserve cut flowers, before adding your cut flower mix together 2 tablespoons of sugar with 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Now add your cut flowers, changing the water every couple of days will help your fresh cut flowers to last a lot longer.
3. Add Bleach
Yes, you heard it right, adding bleach to the water of your fresh cut flowers will help it to last longer, add a teaspoon of sugar in 1 quart (1 liter) water and a few drops of bleach. This solution will discourage bacterial growth and will also keep the water from getting cloudy, another solution is to add 1/4 teaspoon bleach per quart (1 liter) of vase water.
4. Add Sugar
We all love a little sugar for that sweet taste right, well with fresh cut flowers there is no exception, in a liter of warm water (per quart) add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 3 tablespoons of sugar. As you fill the vase the cut stems should be covered with 3-4 inches of (water) in this mixed solution. The job of the vinegar will discourage the growth of bacteria while the sugar will provide your fresh cut flowers with nutrients.
5. Aspirin
The use of aspirin in the garden has proven to be so beneficial, crush a fresh aspirin and mix it thoroughly with fresh water, once the aspirin is dissolved add your fresh cut flowers which will encourage them to last longer. Every couple of days change the water.
6. Hair Spray
Hair spray is another effective way to encourage long-lasting cut flowers, stand about 1 foot away and give your fresh cut flowers a little spray on the undersides of the petals and leaves.
7. Soda
Drinking a soft drink on a hot summer’s day can be so refreshing, this same effect (refreshing) can work for your fresh cut flowers. The last drops of soda that are left can be added to a vase with 1/4 cup of water. The sugar in soda is the active ingredient that will work wonders, if you have a clear vase then you may want to consider using a clear soda.
8. Pruning
The removal of the lower leaves that falls below the waterline will discourage bacterial growth which can impact the health of cut flowers along with giving your fresh cut flowers a better look. Roses have guard petals, removal of the 2 or 3 outermost flower petals will encourage your flowers to open up fully. Once pruning is complete inspect your cut flowers on a daily basis for dead and lose petals and leaves and remove them which will prevent bacterial rot.
9. Create the right environment
Your fresh-cut flower should be displayed in an area where there is no direct sun, the area should also be draft-free and cool.
10 The Use of Coins
“Its belief that adding a cube of sugar and a copper penny to a vase of water will encourage longer-lasting fresh cut flowers”. it’s said, “that the copper in the penny acts as an acidifier that will discourage bacteria growth”.
The final word on preserving cut flowers
Keeping fresh-cut flowers longer is that simple, all it takes is some know-how, you have come to the right place. Any of these methods can work wonders as you enjoy the presence of your fresh-cut flowers. Go ahead and see for yourself by giving these proven methods a try, you will be so happy with the results you receive.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
I remember a discussion I had with a good friend of mine. Cutting flowers the right way is not that simple. That’s why I am happy that I have found your article. I didn’t know that Apple cider vinegar was a good way to preserve cut flowers, for instance. I love that idea. Now reading that you can add bleach made me raise an eyebrow. Really? :0)
Great article.
Yes, it’s so amazing of the many ways we can preserve cut flowers, even ways that seem to be so strange, I am so happy to help. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. All the best to you and have a good day!!