How to care for cut flowers after buying them so they stay fresh longer?

Many people like to buy fresh flowers and keep them, but they always wilt before long. What methods can make fresh flowers bloom longer?

1. How to change the water

The frequency of changing water is a problem many people often overlook. They think that putting fresh flowers directly in water is enough, and that as long as there is water they will not wilt. This view is wrong. The part of the fresh flower submerged in water is very prone to breeding bacteria, and the ducts through which the stem absorbs water become blocked very easily, so you must change the water frequently.

2. How do you tell whether it is time to change the water?

You can observe whether the water in the vase is still clear. If it has become cloudy, then it is time to change the water. What if your vase is not transparent and you cannot see the state of the water? You can reach in and touch the flower stem in the water to see whether its surface has a sticky film. If it no longer feels clean and smooth, then it is time to change the water!  At the same time, rinse the bacteria off the surface of the stem with running water, cut off the blocked 1-3cm at the bottom of the stem, and then quickly put it into the fresh clean water.

3. How should fresh flowers be placed?

Fresh flowers are suited to a cool, slightly dim, windless environment. Pay attention to this point! Flowers do not like being exposed to the sun, and they do not like places that are too hot. If you can find them a cool, shady environment, they will be very happy. It is best to keep the temperature between 10-15℃ and the humidity between 70-90%. Above 20 degrees, fresh flowers will open relatively quickly.

4. How should fresh flowers be cared for?

Decide on the height you want to keep for the fresh flowers, then remove the excess leaves. The part submerged in water must not have any leaves. Use scissors to remove 3~5cm from the base of the stem, at a 45-degree slant, making the cut as large as possible, and put it into water as soon as possible after cutting.

Remove the flowers that have opened too much. This is all to prevent them from competing for water and nutrients with the flowers that are still opening, which would make the flowers decline quickly. The water depth should preferably not exceed two-thirds of the vase. Keeping flowers in deep water increases the humidity around the flowers, speeds up the rotting of the stems, and breeds bacteria.