Tips to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh

(In my recent trip to Seattle I came across the following article by Cisco Morris published in the Seattle Times newspaper on September 16. Editor)

There’s something about a cut flower arrangement that just makes you feel good, and with roses and dahlias still going strong, this is the perfect time to make some beautiful bouquets to brighten up the house. The nice feeling doesn’t last very long, however, if the flowers begin to fade within a day toot two after you bring them into the house.

Here’s some tips guaranteed to keep your cut flowers looking fresh and attractive longer, without turning to chemical preservatives:

Start by cutting the flowers early in the morning. That’s when the cells in the flower stem contain the most water. Use sharp pruners, cut at a slant and immediately put the stems in lukewarm water.

Remove any leaves that would be under water in the arrangement, but don’t remove thorns from roses. Then re-cut the stem under water. That removes air bubbles that cling to the end of the stem and impede water uptake.

Keep the arrangement out of direct sunlight, and move it to a cool location at night. To prevent bacterial buildup, replace all of the water in the vase every two days.

Finally, don’t place your bouquet anywhere near fruit. Fruit releases a gas that causes flowers to age much faster.