Flowers are nature's beautiful gifts, capable of adding endless color and vitality to our lives. However, once flowers are cut from their roots, their connection to nature's life force is severed, and they begin to enter the process of decline.
How can we keep cut flowers looking beautiful and fresh for longer? This is a question many people care about. In fact, by using some simple preservation techniques, we can significantly extend the life of cut flowers, allowing bouquets to radiate their beauty for a longer time.
1. Choose Fresh Flowers
Whether you are buying from a florist or picking your own, selecting fresh flowers is the first step to extending the life of cut flowers. When purchasing, choose flowers with firm petals and no signs of fading or wilting.
Flowers that are slightly unopened often last longer than those that are fully bloomed, as they still have time to gradually open indoors. If you are picking flowers from your garden, it’s best to do so in the early morning or late evening when the moisture content in the flowers is at its highest.
2. Processing
After receiving the flowers, trimming, and processing are essential steps. First, use sharp scissors to trim the stems at an angle, increasing the surface area for water absorption and helping the flowers better take in water.
Additionally, trim off any leaves at the bottom of the stems to prevent them from soaking in the water. Submerged leaves can easily rot, breed bacteria, and hinder the freshness of the flowers.
It is also important to keep the stems clean during trimming. If there is dirt or debris on the stems, rinse them with clean water to prevent impurities from contaminating the water and affecting the flowers’ ability to absorb water. This is especially important for flowers like roses and lilies, which often have thorns and dirt on their stems and require careful cleaning.
3. Suitable Water Temperature
Water temperature is crucial for preserving cut flowers. Generally, cold water is suitable for most flowers, as low temperatures can effectively slow down the metabolic rate of plant cells, thereby extending the life of the flowers.
However, for flowers that tend to contract their petals in cold temperatures, such as tulips, warm water is more suitable. Additionally, placing flowers in warm water (around 30-40°C) during the first 24 hours can help the stems absorb water more quickly, restoring the flowers’ condition.
4. Control Environmental Conditions
Environmental conditions have a direct impact on the preservation of cut flowers.
First, flowers should be kept away from direct sunlight, as sunlight accelerates water evaporation and causes premature wilting. Secondly, avoid placing bouquets near vents or air conditioning units, as the airflow can accelerate moisture evaporation from the flowers.
If the indoor temperature is high, you can move the flowers to a cooler room at night or even place them in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer, which can effectively prolong the flowers’ lifespan.
5. Regularly Change the Water
Even if a preservative is used, regularly changing the water is an important measure to keep cut flowers fresh.
It is recommended to change the water in the vase daily, and when doing so, clean the vase to prevent bacterial growth. Additionally, you can re-trim the stems during each water change to maintain their water absorption capacity.
6. Remove Wilted Flowers
Despite our best efforts, some flowers in the bouquet will wilt earlier than others. To maintain the overall beauty of the bouquet, promptly remove any flowers that have started to wilt.
Doing so will not only keep the bouquet looking neat and beautiful but also prevent wilting flowers from releasing ethylene gas, which can accelerate the aging of other flowers.
Conclusion
The beauty of flowers lies in their transience and fragility, but with careful attention, we can make this beauty last a little longer. It's hoped these tips will help you better care for your flowers, allowing them to bloom with enduring beauty in your home.
