Whether you buy flowers from a florist, pick them up from your local farmer, or receive them as a gift it’s easy to keep them fresh and looking beautiful.
Begin by removing all packaging and rubber bands.
Recut all the stems at an angle (this includes woody stems such as lilacs or hydrangeas) using sharp scissors or a knife, about an inch from the bottom. Do not pound or smash the stems.
Remove any leaves or flowers that will be below the water line in the vase, so that this material does not create bacteria in the container.
Using only clean vases and containers. Fill a container with fresh lukewarm water. We encourage the proper use and mixing of commercial flower food which is formulated to provide the best results for your blooms. Be sure to follow the mixing directions on the packet.
Keep your flowers as cool as possible.
Be sure that they are not near fruits or vegetables; they produce a ripening hormone called ethylene which will make your flowers mature too quickly.
Check your flowers every day and remove flowers past their prime, or dead leaves.
Recut stems and change the water every couple of days. Enjoy! Photo by Julie Collins Photography