Extending LifespanCut FlowersWith Several Suitable Methods
You may have received a bouquet on various occasions, placed it in water, and kept it for a few days. Flowers are reproductive parts of the plant and have reached the end of their growth stage, needing fewer nutrients to grow further.NutrientsNutrients are essential for maintaining the flower’s life and are mostly supplied by the leaves that accompany the blooms.
Join us in this section ofSelMagzas we share tricks to help you extend the lifespan of your cut flowers and guide you in keeping your natural blooms longer.
Act Quickly
It’s best to take flowers out of their packaging right after purchasing. Trim the stems as needed and place the cut flowers in water. Don’t let the flowers wilt; handle them with care from the very beginning.
Cut the Stems at an Angle
Each time you change the water in the vase, cut the stems of the cut flowers with a sharp, clean knife, angling the cut. If the stem is woody, you can also make vertical cuts at the bottom to allow more water to reach the upper parts and blooms. A sharp pair of scissors is recommended for the best results. This cutting is meant to create better conditions for the flowers to absorb water and nutrients, increasing their lifespan.
Do Not Overwater Flowers
Use a small amount of water for your plants so that the depth of the water in the vase is low, preventing the soft stems from rotting. However, woody stems can absorb more water, so you may want to give them more water when working with them. Overall, pay attention to the water content in the vase and consistently check the water levels.
Remove Extra Blooms
To prevent the water from turning cloudy or the stems from becoming mushy, ensure no flowers or petals are submerged in the water. Having one or more flowers in the vase can lead to faster wilting of the cut flowers. Therefore, any part of the stems and branches that go into the water should have no flowers, petals, or leaf buds.
Keep Flowers Away from Fruits
Remember that flowers and fruits do not mix. To extend the life of your cut flowers, avoid placing them near fruit baskets likeapplesandpearsas these fruits release ethylene gas into the surrounding environment, which can cause premature wilting of cut flowers.
Keep Flowers Away from Sunlight and Heat
To preserve the life of cut flowers, it’s best not to place them in direct sunlight by the window, as this causes them to bloom quickly and shortens their lifespan. For the best blooming conditions, keep cut flowers away from direct sunlight, heaters, radiators, and any other heat sources.
Remove the Anther Bags
Removing the anther bags, also known as pollen sacs, is a key method for extending the lifespan of cut flowers. Many cut flowers have these sacs at the top. After the flowers bloom, remove these sacs to prevent them from wilting sooner. These sacs produce ethylene gas, which contributes to the aging of flowers.
