How can you keep fresh flowers to last longer?

Answer 1

As soon as you get home, fill a clean vase with warm water (not too hot, just comfortably warm) , add the packet of floral preservative that came with the flowers, then cut the stems at an angle with a sharp knife or stem clippers then insert in vase. If you got the flowers from the florist, check to see if you need to add water. Florists use water that has been treated with flower preservative when making the floral arrangement. In a couple of days, check the water level and water clarity. Ideally on the third day, you want to clean your vase, mix the floral preservative with warm water then pour into clean vase. Cut about 1/2 to an inch off of the stems at an angle then arrange flowers in vase. Make sure that you also cut off foliage so that those do not get into the water. Foliage in water tends to decay and create ethylene gas that speeds flowers to wilt. Make sure that your floral arrangement is in a cool, draft -free area, away from heating vents and out of direct sunlight.

Answer 2

If you don't like to use chemicals to prolong the life of your cut flowers, there are "natural" alternatives. Some methods work better than others. Here's one for you: does a penny and an aspirin tablet placed in the vase water really do any good? Some say the combination does keep flowers fresh longer. The theory is that the copper acts a fungicide and the aspirin makes the water more acidic. Here are more food + acid combinations:

* Add one part lemon-lime soda (not diet) to 3 parts water. Then to each quart of this solution, add 1/4 teaspoon bleach. Thereafter, add 1/4 teaspoon bleach after each 4 days of use.
* To 1 quart water add 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon bleach.
* Add 2 ounces Listerine mouthwash per gallon of water. Listerine contains sucrose (food) and a bactericide. Listerine is acidic and is said help water move up the cut stem.

Answer 3

To bring flowers back from the florist, have some wet cotton wool in plastic to go around the cut part of the stem and hold it in place with a elastic band. That doesn't let the end dry out and helps especially if it is a long drive before getting them into a vase. The xylons in the stem can suck up more water if cut at an angle ... but any cut will also squeeze water already inside out of it ... so cut the stems while holding underwater in a bucket. Then watered continuously. Place in vase and keep in a cool place. Change the vase water daily. When the flowers start to show sgns they are dying, sugar or asprin can perk them up for a another day or so, but then they deteriorate quicker after that.

Answer 4

Cut the stems of the flowers on an angle under water. Then place room temp. water in a vase along with an aspirin. the flowers should last about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks!

Answer 5

Once a flower has been cut, it begins to die and wither. The best way to keep flowers lasting a little longer is to be sure and re-cut there stems and put into fresh clean water, being sure to cut the stems at an angle.

Answer 6

Hi! The best is what u get from the flower shop--u kno the pre-pkg. stuff, but u can try adding 7 UP esp. roses...they did a special on a can. show years years ago and believe it or not 7 up (bout 1 T per 1/2 cup water workd best!! If not, use an aspirin....hope that help ya! cheers!

Answer 7

do not put them in sunlight. Once in your house a shaded area out of the bright sun and heat will extend the flowers life.
Also crush an aspirin in the water before you add the flowers , small vase 1/2 an aspirin

Answer 8

make sure they have water and most flower shops will have flower food or asprin and make sure there not in a cold area like below freezing anywhere from 40 degrees to 68 degrees is good. i work at a flower shop and we do the flower food and they come in little packets which is nice. also i have had customers say they use 7up, squirt and asprin. but your best bet would be to make sure it has water and keep it in a cool place.

Answer 9

When you put the flowers in the vase, cut them at an angle so that they can "drink" more water. Then, put an aspirin in the water. I'm not sure how, but it certainly keeps them fresher, longer!

Answer 10

Believe it or not, I've heard to use 7-Up instead of water. I've never tried it but I do replace the water every day and trim the ends of the flowers every few days. Also, make sure you don't have any leaves below the water level.