How to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh
To keep your new arrangement looking fresh and to ensure it lasts as long as possible, follow these top tips:
- Buy your flowers from a reputable outlet
- Choose blooms with firm petals or with buds which are showing some colour
- Keep them well wrapped until you get them home
- Keep them in water until you are ready to start arranging
- Make sure vases are very clean
- Use fresh lukewarm water and add commercial cut flower food
- Remove all leaves which fall below the water level
- Take at least 3cm (1″) off all stems, making a slanted cut with sharp scissors
- Don’t smash or pierce the stems
- Avoid placing the arrangement in direct sunlight, heat, or draughts
- Keep flowers away from ripening fruit
- Don’t mix daffodils with other flowers
- Remove faded flowers as they occur
- Top up the water regularly and add fresh flower food
