Prevent your flower bouquets from wilting with these expert-backed tips
Some of my fondest childhood memories are of going to the farmers market with my family, where I was able to take home a bouquet of sunflowers. I have continued this tradition into adulthood by keeping fresh cut flowers in my home – sometimes sunflowers, but often the beautiful bundles that the local farmers market down the street sells.
But even after years of buying flowers weekly, I still get sad when the petals start to wilt, turn brown and fall. Whether you bought flowers for yourself at the local supermarket, or received a special bouquet in honor of a celebration or milestone, you want to extend the life of those flowers as long as possible.
I spoke with two flower experts to gather tips for buying the freshest flowers and how to keep them blooming longer. I will also share common myths that horticulturists say don’t work. (For more tips, here the best location for your plantsand here is the best houseplants for low light and clean air.)
What should you pay attention to with cut flowers?
You are in the store and want to buy flowers for yourself or a special someone, but which bouquet should you choose from the dozens on the stand? Believe it or not, this decision can affect the lifespan of the flowers you purchase.
Joe Guggia, owner of JP designs flowers based in Santa Maria, California, has been working in the floral industry for over 45 years. He told me that many flower bunches are shipped from Ecuador or California, so it is important to carefully examine each stem and leaf to ensure you are not purchasing flowers that are older or damaged in transit.
After removing the bushel from the display, next check that the water is clean and that the leaves are not yellow, mottled or drooping. Also make sure the stems are not slimy or broken. Lucy Bradleyprofessor of consumer and community horticulture North Carolina State Universitytold me to check for faint gray mold and drooping, damaged petals.
“Extend vase life by selecting flowers that are just beginning to open,” says Bradley. “For roses and other single flowers, select flowers with only one petal open. For gladiolus and other spiky flowers, choose stems with only the first two or three flowers open. For daisy-type flowers, such as sunflowers, select flowers with centers are still greenish.”
Your purchasing decisions in the store can affect the lifespan of your bouquet.
Cut flower tips that really work
While there are a whole host of myths surrounding flower care, Guggia and Bradley have come up with a few tricks that are guaranteed to work.
Change the water – and do it often
Adding fresh, lukewarm water to a clean vase is a safe way to keep flowers healthy for longer.
“That’s the key for people who get vase arrangements, to change the water as often as possible,” Guggia said. “If they just keep the whole group out, pour out the water and put fresh water in, and put the arrangement back in, they’ll be busy for days and days and days.”
Why? Bradley explained that simply throwing away water removes any bacteria growing in the vase water, which can clog the flower stem and prevent water absorption.
Cut off the ends
Guggia and Bradley agreed that recutting the stems from the bunches as soon as you bring them home is key to longevity. But don’t even think about reaching for those dull kitchen scissors!
Bradley said it’s best to grab a sharp knife or scissors to cut flowers to avoid damaging the stem and reducing its ability to absorb water. First wipe the tool with alcohol and then carefully make new cuts on all stems at a 45-degree angle at least 1/2 inch from the end of the stem.
Cutting at an angle will release most of the base of the stem from the bottom of the vase. It removes clogged tissue that no longer transports water to the flower, Bradley said.
Be sure to cut the ends of the stems before placing flowers in a vase.
Add cents, but pay attention to the age
You’ve probably heard of the penny method or maybe you’ve tried throwing a penny into your vase of water and flowers. But before you start digging in the bottom of your purse or jeans pocket, know that only pennies minted before 1982 will work. Those are the ones with the natural antimicrobial properties, which come from the copper.
“Originally, pennies contained copper, a fungicide that prevents disease,” Bradley said. “However, pennies are now made of mainly zinc and so are no longer effective.”
Some cut flower tips do not Real work
When it comes to flower care, there will also be debate about which methods work and which do not. You may have tried a few in the past – no judgment here! That said, the experts I spoke with debunked some of the biggest myths when it comes to keeping cut flowers fresher longer.
Add sugar to the flower vase?
If you paid attention in a high school science class, you may remember that flowers benefit from the sugars produced through photosynthesis. But this is especially true if the flower or leaves are still attached to the plant, so think twice before throwing a whole Sprite into your vase water.
Although sugar can extend the life of cut flowers, those little packets of flower preservatives work much better.
Bradley explained that adding one and a half teaspoons of sugar per quart of water or using half water and half carbonated lemon-lime drink in the vase water can act as a plant food to prolong flowering, but none is as effective as a commercial floral remedy. . preservative.
Flower preservatives are those little packets that often come with your flower arrangement. They often contain sucrose and a biocide – an antibacterial agent – that gives the flower energy, helps the stems absorb more water and prevents bacteria from growing.
Does bleach help flowers stay fresher?
As the saying goes, a little goes a long way when it comes to bleach. Bradley explained that a few drops of bleach (1 teaspoon per liter of water) can kill bacteria and mold, but adding too much bleach (which is all too easy) will also kill plant cells.
Can vodka, vinegar or aspirin extend the life of your flowers?
There are lots of tricks on the internet about how to preserve cut flowers longer with vinegar, aspirin, vodka, you name it. And while these methods may work on a case-by-case basis, our experts don’t recommend these tricks because they’re based on anecdotal evidence rather than backed by science.
Clean water is the key to extending the life of your flower arrangement.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t do any of these things because in most cases the arrangement will be a mix of flower types, so there’s a good chance you won’t accept whatever item you put in the water,” Guggia said. “Keeping the water clean is the best thing there is.”
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Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I put vodka, aspirin, vinegar or other substances in the mixture I give to my flowers?
Although vodka, aspirin and vinegar can help prevent certain flowers from wilting, many bouquets consist of different types of flowers. What works to keep one type of flower alive can damage or kill other flowers, so you need to examine the effect of the mixture on each flower or keep it out of the bouquet.
Should I put sugar in the vase with my fresh cut flowers?
While adding some sugar to the water you use for your plants can help promote their health and keep them alive, it doesn’t do much for plants that have been cut from the stem. You can try adding sugar to complement the other tips, but don’t expect this to do much for the bouquet.
