Tips to keep your cut flowers fresh longer

The earth laughs in flowers. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

red roses Today I’m sharing some tips I got from my dad, which will help you keep cut flowers fresh longer. Mine usually last 7 to 10 days so I get to enjoy my flowers long after I receive them.

Last Valentine’s I received a bouquet of red roses, white lilies with a sprig of baby’s breath… perfection! I really do love roses, and maybe it’s because my dad used to grow roses of any variety in his small rose nursery at home. Or maybe it’s because roses look like the perfect flowers to me, a wonder of nature that never ceases to amaze me.

This post is not about the fact that nowadays, I can get choked up simply looking at photos of roses. My dad passed away in September last year and oh, how we miss him! He knew everything there is to know about roses and was our fountain of information on roses and other plants. When we bought our house more than 20 years ago, he helped us plant a few in the yard and I enjoyed many roses afterwards. Some plants are still alive today and blooming every spring and summer. But now… we can’t ask him for advice anymore and have to go by memory, using the tips he gave us back then.

I paint flowers so they will not die. – Frida Kahlo

Cut rose stems at an angle

He taught us a lot and one of the things I remember is how to keep fresh cut flowers, well, fresh.
Cut the rose stems at an angle, and always under water. Whether the stems are submerged in a bucket or bowl, or under running water. Why, you wonder? He explained that doing this will prevent air bubbles to enter the stems, thereby prohibiting the flowers to absorb water. You want to cut the stem at an angle to allow for better absorption of water.

Bacteria and roses

Ever had sad, “droopy” roses in a bouquet, bent right below the bud? That’s a sign of bacteria that got into your flowers. Cutting the stem as soon as possible helps to get rid of any bacteria that could have collected at the store. Once bacteria enter the stem, you can say bye bye to your beautiful flowers. They will feed on the tender inside of the stem, making it difficult for the flowers to absorb water and without water… ? Your flowers will wilt and wilted flowers usually never recover, especially when bacteria are involved.

Refresh water frequently

Have you ever wondered why water in the vase looks murky after a few days? Yes, you guessed it, bacteria, feeding on your flower stems! My dad recommended to refresh the water frequently to prevent bacteria from flourishing. I change water in the vase every day! Sometimes I even spray a bit of chlorine in the water. And, if the end of the stems no longer look fresh green, I will cut them again (under running water), rinse and add fresh water to the vase.

One BIG tip on bacteria… wear gloves or wash your hands with soap after changing water for your flowers. Those are some nasty bacteria that could make you (or your pets) sick, so take care.

Remove the leaves

One more tip I remember from my dad, is to remove a bunch of (rose) leaves from your bouquet. Why? Because the leaves will “work” hard to suck up the water, resulting in less water (and nutrients if added) going to the rose bud or flower. Who would have thought about that? My dad was a genius, and one or those rare people I know, who loved his chosen profession so much, he never wanted to do anything else.

In feeling nostalgic, I’d like to share part of my son’s ode to his Opa