What are the ways to keep cut flowers fresh? A few simple tips to make flowers last longer

Cut flowers bought from the florist always wilt within a few days, which really breaks the heart of flower lovers.

To extend how long cut flowers stay open, you first need to understand why they wilt. After the flowers and foliage are cut away from the plant, the plant's metabolism and water transpiration continue. Bacteria easily invade the plant's vessels through the cut at the stem, and the multiplication of microorganisms causes the tissue at the cut to rot, resulting in poor water uptake and causing the flowers to wilt quickly.

Based on these causes, we can use some methods to avoid or reduce this phenomenon, and then we can extend the ornamental period of cut flowers.

1. Cutting under water

   When cutting, this can prevent air from entering the stem tissue. It is especially effective for summer flowers such as campanula and dahlia.

2. Enlarging the cut surface

   When cutting, make the cut at the end of the flower stem larger, the purpose being to increase the water-absorbing surface of the stem so as to replenish the water lost through transpiration from the flowers and foliage.

   ① Diagonal cut

   Herbaceous plants and woody plants with thinner stems are often cut diagonally or the flower stems are broken off by hand, which can avoid damaging the vessel system from cutting and crushing the stem.② Cross-shaped cut

   Woody flowers with thicker stems should be cut into a cross shape.

   ③ Crushing the end

   Ornamental peach, hydrangea, cherry blossom and the like are suitable for this method.

3. Scalding the ends

   Immerse the ends of the stems in water at about 80°C for a dozen seconds; the purpose is to use the higher temperature to kill the cell tissue at the ends of the stems, thereby sealing the cut.

4. Singeing the ends

   Burn the ends with fire for about 1 minute, until the ends are scorched.

   For plants that exude milky sap after cutting, such as poinsettia, oleander and rubber tree, this method must be used to stop the milky sap from flowing out, thereby ensuring the supply of nutrients and water needed by the stems.

5. Chemical treatment

   Add 3% aspirin tablets, 2% potassium permanganate or a small amount of baijiu to the water used for the arrangement.

Usually remember to change the water for the arrangement frequently; when changing the water, remove the rotting stems and re-cut the ends.

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