Taking Care of Cut Flowers at Home

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Taking Care of Cut Flowers at Home - By: Victor Epand, Posted on: 2007-10-27

Have you received a beautiful arrangement of cut flowers only for them to wither and die? In this article, you will learn how to preserve and prolong the life of some of the most common varieties of cut flowers.

Lilies

The flowers, or the punks of the lily, have different lengths of time that they are open for depending on the flower and particular variety. For the maximum length of time, you can add a teaspoon of white cider vinegar.

Gerbera Daisies

To prevent the stem from inverting you can prick the stem with a pin just below the flower. This allows air to be released so that the flower can remain hydrated and erect. You can also try filling the stem with water overnight and keep the flower pointed downwards.

Tulip

A typical tulips lifespan after being cut is between 8 and 10 days. In order to maximize this time you can cut the white part of the stem at the bottom. You should do thins under water. Then place the flower in vase of cool water in place the vase in cool place in the house. In order to preserve the flowers color you can add a coin to the water in the vase. A tulip's stem usually turns toward the light so it is a good idea to wrap the flower in paper or place it in an opaque vase filled with water.

Daffodil

The typical daffodil has a lifespan of about eight days. In order to prevent the flower from wilting prematurely you should cut the stem at a very sharp angle. This cut should be 2 inches below the end of the stem. Once you do this, cauterize it with a flame. This eliminates pests that are secreted from the stem. Make sure you clean the vase with salt and vinegar. This ensures that the vase will not have any pests behind.

Carnation

Carnations do better when you ass some sugar to their water. Make sure you cut the flowers at the nodules between the flowers. A carnation can last a very long time even with minimal help.

Daisy

A daisy usually does well as a cut flower. You should cut the stem until you reach the green part. You should then place the daisies in a tall vase. You should fill the vase with at least three quarters of the way with water. You can add a whitening substance to keep the colors of the petals vibrant.

Lily-of-the-valley

When you bring these flowers home, make sure that you place them in cold water as soon as possible. These flowers usually live about five days.

Crocus

A crocus lifespan is about four days. A crocus flourishes in cold water. They do better if you change the water everyday. Cut the stems white part away until you reach the green part of the stem. This helps the flower absorb water better.

Dahlia

Here is the best way to maintain a dahlia. You must introduce the base of the stem in boiled water and keep them there until the water cools. You should then cut off the boiled part of the stem. Place the flowers in a vase filled with cold water.

Orchid

An orchid can last two or more weeks. This can be extended if you tend to them on a regular basis. Orchids prefer a 26 degree temperature. After you get the cut flowers home, you should place them in a cold place in the house for a few hours. In order to keep your flowers fresh you should cut the stems down and placed them in boiled water. They should be kept away from a draft.

Sunflower

Sunflowers can live a long time. They can last over a week as a cut flower. In order to avoid blight you should add a tiny amount of detergent to the flowers water.

Article Source: http://www.girlarticles.com

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for cut flowers and gifts. When shopping for flowers and gifts, we recommend you shop only at the best online stores that specialize in weddings, love, romance, gift baskets, flowering plants, roses, rubies, diamonds, and pearls.