How to Care for Cut Flowers
When one thinks of maintaining the quality of fresh flowers after harvest, the first thought that generally comes to mind is the use of floral preservatives. Although flower preservatives are commonly used by wholesale and retail florists, few homeowners have adopted the practice.
Research has shown that the vase-life of carnations can be extended from the normal six days with no treatment to 15 days by the addition of a preservative to the water. However, the increase in longevity will depend on the type of flowers that you buy or cut yourself.
In addition to the use of floral preservatives, other measures can be taken which will help in promoting flower longevity. Follow these steps to extend the vase-life of your cut flowers.
1. When purchasing flowers online or from a florist, be sure that flowers are as fresh as possible. Flowers that are not cared for properly will not last as long as they should. Flowers should be firm and without blemishes. They should be kept in preservative solution in a cooler.
2. If you are cutting flowers from your garden, cut them in the early morning while they have a high water content and place the end of the stems in a bucket of lukewarm water at approximately 700 F.
3. Before flowers are used in an arrangement, recut by removing about 1/2 inch of the basal portion of the stem. Use a sharp knife or shears to make a smooth clean cut. It makes no difference whether the stem is cut on an angle or straight across. Recutting the stems while holding them under water will aid water uptake.
4. If flowers exude a milky substance from the newly cut stem that may plug their water conducting tubes, you should place the stem in about 2 inches of boiling water for one minute. Other flowers may have the stem end charred in a flame.
5. Remove any excess foliage that will be below water. Any foliage under water will decay. Decaying foliage will stimulate bacterial growth, which will restrict the uptake of water. This will cause flowers to wilt.
6. Place the stem in 1100 F. water. Warm water moves into the stems more readily than cold water. Always use a clean sterile container for arranging flowers.
7. Add a commercial flower preservative to this warm water. These preservatives are a combination of sugars, acidifiers and a mild fungicidal agent, all of which help extend the life of cut flowers. You can obtain these at your local florist or garden center. Research evidence indicates that the so-called home remedies of aspirin, copper pennies, detergents, 7-Up, etc. are not effective in extending the vase life of cut flowers.
8. After putting the flowers in warm water, wrap the flowers in paper or cover with a plastic bag to prevent water loss. After about two hours the flowers should be crisp and ready to use in an arrangement. If the flowers wilt, repeat Steps 2 through 6.
9. Wash the container with soap and water after each use to remove bacteria. If bacteria are left on the containers, they will multiply at a rapid rate, clog the conducting tissue of the plant and cause wilting.
10. Place the arrangement in a protected location. Do not place in direct sunlight, over a radiator or air duct, on a television set, or in a draft. Heat reduces flower longevity. Warm air causes water to be lost from flowers faster than it can be absorbed by the stems.
11. Double the life of your flowers by placing in a cold room or refrigerator at night or when you are not at home during the day. Most flowers do well at about 350 F.
12. Do not store or enclose flowers with fruit or vegetables. Many fresh fruits and vegetables produce ethylene gas which will shorten flower longevity.
13. If no preservatives are used and the water in the container discolors, wash the vase, rinse flower stems, recut and place in fresh water.
In review, these steps help insure that flowers are kept firm with water and factors that stimulate the aging process are minimized. With a little time and effort, you can prolong the beauty of cut flowers in your home.
Richard P. Vetanovetz,
Former Assistant Professor
James L. Pointer,
Professor Emeritus, Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design
The University of Tennessee Knoxville
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