You’ve probably heard one trick or another to extend the life of cut flowers – from crushing or burning stem ends to using anything from aspirin to vinegar and even coins.  The truth is, these “home remedies” don’t really do much good on their own. But there are some simple and effective measures you can take to make sure those lovely, colorful blooms grace your tabletop just a little while longer.

Cutting Them Right
     If the flowers are coming from your own garden, cut them while it’s cool either early in the morning or late in the day and choose the ones that are just opening.  Make sure you use sharp shears to avoid damaging the stems.  Before you put the flowers into a vase, whether the blooms are from a florist or from your own garden, you’ll have to re-cut them.  Right after a flower is cut, the stems draw in air, creating air pockets that block the uptake of food and water.  That’s why when stems are re-cut; they should be cut under water so they draw no air and the water acts like a temporary “sealant”.  To re-cut flower stems, immerse the end of the stem under warm water and cut about an inch off at an angle.  It is important to cut at a slant to avoid crushing the stem and to prevent a flat end from resting on the bottom of the vase, preventing the stem from absorbing as much water as it can.  Then pull off any foliage or flowers that will be below the water level in the vase. Submerged leaves decay and encourage microbial growth.  Leaving on too much foliage also shortens cut flower life by increasing water loss.
     Keep in mind that flowers with hollow stems do not have a long vase life. On the other hand, certain types such as celosia, sunflower, poinsettia and zinnia give off a thick milky sap.  These would benefit from scalding the stem ends in boiling water for 20 seconds or over a candle flame to stop the nutrient-rich sap from oozing out further.  In mixed bouquets, this sap could also be toxic to other flower varieties in the vase thus shortening their vase life. 

A Special Vase Solution
     Place the re-cut flowers in water immediately.  Filtered or distilled water is best, and use warm water (up to 40˚C).  Warm water moves into the stem more quickly and easily than cold water.  Next, place a paper or plastic bag over the flowers, or keep them in the coolest, darkest area in your house with no draft (such as a closet). Wait at least two hours before you arrange them.
     Make sure your vase has been cleaned with soap and water and rinsed thoroughly. This is to eliminate any fungi and bacteria that could shorten your flowers’ life.
     Next, prepare this easy-to-make vase solution; after all, even cut flowers need food for longer life and to keep their healthy color.   Mix one part 7-Up or Sprite (do not use Diet sodas) with one part water.  Or you can dilute it up to 3 parts water to one part of the lemon-lime soda. For every liter of this solution, add ½ teaspoon household bleach (e.g. Zonrox or Chlorox)   Once again, use warm water.  Change the vase solution every couple of days.
     If you are using floral foam, let it soak in the vase solution until it sinks.  Do not push it into the vase water because air bubbles will remain in the foam and we know that air bubbles aren’t good for cut flowers.  Use only fresh floral foam because previously used material could very well be harboring bacteria.

Final Touches
     When creating your arrangement, do not mix fresh flowers with old or damaged flowers or with fruits or vegetables.  Fresh fruits and vegetables and damaged and aging flowers release ethylene gas that will shorten your cut flowers’ life.
     And lastly, consider your floral arrangement’s final location.  Don’t place your vase in sunny spots, near heaters or on top of a TV set.  The higher the temperature, the faster the flowers will decay.  It is also important to avoid all drafty locations, electric fans or air-conditioner vents because moving air removes water from flowers faster than it can be absorbed through the stems.
     By now you’re probably thinking, “They’re cut flowers!  Why bother?”  That’s what I used to think myself until I tried these secrets out myself and was amazed at how much longer cut flowers can actually be made to last.  I’m sure you'll be happy too, when your lovely blooms reward you with their colorful display for days and days and days.