June 15, 2022
Prolong the Vase Life of Your Cut Flowers
There’s just something about a vase of fresh cut flowers - they have the amazing ability to not only change our mood but can instantly change the mood of a space. Whether it’s a single stem in a bud vase positioned ever so carefully on a stack of old books or a lavish display of blooms incorporated into a tablescape, flowers have a way of breathing life into a space and are a simple way to incorporate an organic element into your design.
There are many tips & tricks on how to prolong the freshness of your cut flowers but after much experimenting, I am sharing the methods that have worked well for me.
- Make sure your vase is thoroughly cleaned & rinsed. Any residual bacteria from previous arrangements can cause premature decay & prevent the flowers from absorbing water.
- It is ideal to cut flowers in the morning before the heat of the day causes wilting or in the late evening when they are not heat stressed.
- When cutting flowers from the garden, immediately place them in water. If they have been out of water for any length of time or if purchasing from a market, give them a fresh cut before arranging.
- Remove any foliage that will be below the water line. Foliage in the water encourages bacteria growth.
- Under running water, cut stems at a 45 degree angle using a sharp knife. You could also use a sharp pair of scissors but be mindful not to crush the ends. Doing so will improve the flowers ability to stay hydrated.
- For woody stemmed flowers such as hydrangea, you can use a vegetable peeler to remove the outer layer on the part of the stem that will be submerged in water enabling the flower to hydrate easier.
- Dip the cut ends into Alum powder before placing your stems into the water. Alum is a fine white powder often used when pickling produce but is also great at extending the life of cut flowers.
- Arrange flowers in a vase containing room temperature/tepid water which is easier for the flowers to absorb.
- It is best to add into the water a premixed floral preservative such as FloraLife or Chrysal which comes in both liquid & powder form. These can be purchased at your local hardware store or online. However, if you don’t have those on hand, you can make your own.
- Per Quart of Water: Mix the following ingredients directly into your water before arranging - 1 teaspoon of sugar or ¼ can clear lemon/lime soda such as Sprite and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar or ¼ teaspoon of bleach. The sugar provides a nutrient source for the blooms, however, it also encourages bacteria growth. By adding in either bleach or white vinegar, the bacteria growth is inhibited.
- Place arrangement away from direct sunlight & heat sources.
- About every two to three days, dispose of any stems that appear aged, give the remaining stems a fresh trim, change out the water & add more preservative.
Leave a comment