Learn How to Make Cut Flowers Last Longer. With a few easy tips and tricks, you can enjoy fresh flowers around the house.
Over the past few months, we have been working on how to get fresh flowers to last longer. I love having them on my kitchen table, but I wanted to justify the money.
The longer I could keep them on the table, the better I felt about the purchase. There is just something so pretty about fresh flowers and it brightens my day.
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Why We Love This
With these easy tips, we have been able to make our fresh flowers last up to a month. Yes, an entire month! We have the best secrets.
As you can see, that is my picture of flowers that are 3 weeks old and they still look great. You wll love how easy these ideas are to keep those flowers fresh and beautiful on your kitchen table.
Go ahead and spend the extra $5 and enjoy the flowers that seem to brighten up your house. No need to get a flower bouquet from a florist when grocery store flowers are this pretty.
1. Change Water Every Other Day.
If the water is clear, then you know your flowers are getting healthy water. This easy step of ensuring clean water will help with the longevity and vase life.
Some types of flowers will make the water dirtier than others. Keep your beautiful bouquet stunning by changing the water frequently.
Delicate flowers such as tulips and daffodils might not last as long as other flowers.
2. Cut Off Extra Leaves and Foliage
Trim off all the leaves on your stems. You want your flowers to spend all their energy keeping the flowers looking beautiful and not the leaves.
By trimming off the bottom of the stems, it is much less work on the flower to keep the blooms looking fabulous. You can use a sharp knife or scissors.
3. Use Clear Vases or Mason Jars.
My motto is if the jar or vase is clear, then you are more likely to keep up with the water and change it regularly. You don’t want dirty water or harmful bacteria sitting on your kitchen table and should have a clean vase.
Besides vases, mason jars make pretty vases for fresh cut flowers. I also like plastic or crystal pitchers.
4. Keep Water Filled to Top.
Don’t let your water drop too low. I like to keep the water line fairly high in the vase or mason jar. If you are wondering how much water is sufficient, about ¾ full.
You can also add ¼ teaspoon bleach to the water to keep flowers fresh longer.
5. Cut Stems Every Few Days.
Cutting off the ends of the stems allows the flowers to absorb the water easier and helps them stay fresh longer. You can use garden shears to do this easily. Cut at a 45-degree angle to prevent the stems from sitting flat and makes sure they are absorbing water.
Make sure to cut woody stems under water such as roses and hydrangeas. This will prevent air bubbles from blocking the stem ends.
6. Flower Food
Sometimes flowers come with a packet, but you can easily make your own. Combine 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar with 2 Tablespoons water and add the vase.
The vinegar acts as an antibacterial agent and the sugar acts as flower food for nourishment. No worries if you do not have any vinegar or sugar. You can try using a lemon-lime soda. This type of clear soda is Sprite or can be store brand.
7. Copper Penny
Add a copper penny to the vase. It acts as an acidifier and fights bacteria growth in the vase.
More Gardening Tips
Now it is your turn. How do you keep your flowers looking great? Please try these easy tips and leave a comment.
Great tips! I also dissolve a few aspirin in the water if I don’t have those “magic crystals” that come with bouqets – got this tip from a florist friend!
These are great tips. I have to admit I’m not the best at keeping the water changed each day. If I purchase flowers I add the crystals to the water or add in some aspirin to help keep them fresh.
Using the flower packets is great but you need quite a few during your ‘long enjoyment’ period for your bouquet.
But, if you use the formula of bleach, lemon juice, and sugar (find the formula on Pinterest), they really stay fresh longer.
You must, also, remember to cut the stems 45 degree angle every two to three days. Changing the water and of course, the goodies in the water.
GREAT STUFF on PINTEREST!
Thanks for sharing your tips!