Over 3 weeks ago, I received these beautiful fresh-cut flowers as a gift. Here is how they look today. I’m going to show you how to keep fresh flowers beautiful longer. Keeping flowers fresh for a month or more is a whole lot better than the few days that they used to last before I learned all of these neat little tricks.
Water Care to Keep Flowers Longer
The first step is crucial and it takes place in your kitchen. Whenever fresh cut flowers come into your home the first order of business is to check the water inside the vase. If it looks hazy or gray it’s time for a refresh. Gently remove all of the flowers and place them in a sink of cold running water. I like to place them on top of a cutting board. You want to keep the stem bottoms submerged at all times. Next, remove that nasty rancid water and rinse the vase. Get your little packet of flower food (normally supplied by the grocery store or florist).
Use Fresh Cut Flower Food
Since you’re using these methods and your flowers are going to last weeks instead of days, ask the florist or the grocery store if you can have a few extra packs of fresh flower food. You’re going to want to freshen that water every 3 to 4 days. You’ll need a new packet each time to keep those flowers looking as new as when you brought them home. Once your fresh water is ready, set that aside and you can focus on the flowers.
How to Cut Fresh Flowers to Keep Them Beautiful Longer
As you cut the flowers, keep the stems under the waterline. Almost as soon as you cut them they immediately want to seal up and heal themselves. Cut them underwater. I put a cutting board in the bottom of the sink. If there are tough stems, such as eucalyptus, that I need to cut with a knife, I have a hard surface in the bottom of the sink and I won’t scratch my sink or damage the knife. After trimming the stems, place them directly into your prepared vase. Always cut your flowers at an angle not straight across. That way they can take in water instead of sitting flush against the bottom of the vase.
Checking Fresh Flowers
Next, look through the flowers to make sure there are not any damaged petals. Also, be sure the stems haven’t broken. Check the leaves on the stems. If any leaves look water-bogged, kind of soggy and dark, pluck those off. Stagnated leaves will continue to degrade the water and make the flowers fade faster.
Remove Leaves to Keep Fresh Flowers Beautiful Longer
When you first come home you want to remove any leaves or foliage that is going to be below the water line in your vase. Give them a quick pluck or a quick snip with your scissors. Make sure that you get rid of those before you ever put them in the water. Each time you refresh your water check and see if there’s any that you may have missed. As you trim the stems they’re going to get shorter. The water line is going to move its way up your stems and you’re going to have to remove a few more little leaves.
Preserving Fresh Cut Flowers
There may be a few spent flowers you need to pull out. You can hang them upside down to dry. Sometimes I put a clothespin on a coat hanger and hang the flowers. Alternatively, remove the petals and press them in books. You can feed roses and certain flowers to your ducks or chickens after they’ve spent. Just be sure to do a little research to make sure that it’s safe.
More Tips for Keeping Fresh Flowers Beautiful Longer
A few final thoughts to keep fresh-cut flowers longer. You want to keep them out of direct sunlight. It’s okay for short periods but long sun exposure will speed the process where they wilt and fade. Keep them away from heaters. You don’t want fresh-cut flowers right on top of a heater or in a draft. These are all things that can negatively affect your beautiful blooms and foliage as the weeks go on.
Secrets to Keep Fresh Flowers Beautiful Longer
If you are any of your family members have passed down traditions or secrets for keeping cut flowers looking fresh longer be sure to share those ideas in the comments. I might feature your suggestion on the Sawdust and Cornbread Home DIY Channel. Now I have beautiful flowers to display for weeks as well as a beautiful snack for the ducks! Thanks so much for joining me today at the Sawdust and Cornbread Blog.
Find more gardening tips here.
God bless~ Lora Lea
