Cut flowers:
Get the most out of your blooms.
It's best to cut flowers early in the morning or late in the evening to prevent the flowers from wilting. Use clean tools to cut the flowers to avoid fungal problems causing the blooms to deteriorate and die sooner. The ideal time to cut flowers is when it is just showing color and the bloom is somewhat closed. Exception to this rule: Dahlias, Marigolds, and Zinnias.
Cut the stems long, back to the main
stem or all the way to
the ground. Soft stems should be cut
straight. Woody stems should be cut at
a 45-degree angle.
It also helps to crush the bottom 1-2 inches of the woody stems to help them absorb water (A hammer works well for this). Strip all leaves that will be below the water line in the vase, this will prolong the life of the flower by alleviating some of the areas that require water.
Once the flowers are cut, place them immediately in water. Re-cut all stems under water with a very sharp tool. This will keep the stems from air locking.
Prepare a vase of water with cut-flower
food/preservative. Several alternatives
have been said to work: A few drops of
bleach and a teaspoon of sugar, or one ounce of Listerine to a gallon
of water,
or one teaspoon of sugar and an aspirin.
Whichever solution is chosen, stir it well, and add the flowers. Changing the water every other day and
re-adding the plant food/preservative will prolong the life of the cut
flowers.
