Keeping Cut Flowers Fresh

Buying bouquets or even making your own can be pleasing to the eye, but how can one extend the vase-life of their cut flowers? Here's a quick, little guide to help you keep your flowers fresh and alive long as possible!

1. Make sure foliage does not sit in water.
If the flowers' leaves are below the waterline in your vase, be sure to remove them. You can of course leave all other foliage on the flowers that are above the waterline, but you do not want the leaves to sit and rot if they are touching water. Removing the lower leaves greatly reduces the amount of bacteria and fungus from growing in the vase that kill the flowers off sooner.

2. Change the vase water every 2-3 days.
With bacteria, fungus, and mold growing and thriving in your vase, you'll want to change the water every few days or so. Not only does changing the water allow for longer vase-life, it also prevents the smell of the bacteria living in your vase, plus, cleaner and clearer water simply looks prettier!

3. If you're cutting your own flowers, cut the stems at a 45 degree angle.
There are several benefits for cutting your stems at a diagonal, or at a 45 degree angle...

• Cutting at an angle allows the plant you're cutting from to heal quicker from the "injury."
• A diagonal cut allows more surface area for waterflow into the stem of the cut flower.
• Because an angled cut isn't flat, the stem won't sit horizontally on the bottom of the vase. This way, water will be able to flow easier into the stem.
• A straight-cut causes more tubes (vein-like structures in stems that act similar to straws, sucking up water) to crush, but a diagonal cut allows more tubes to stay open and function properly.