What You Can Do To Keep Your Fresh Cut Flowers Looking Lovely and Staying Healthy.
Most Bulk Fresh Cut Flowers can last 4 ~ 7 days or longer, depending on the flowers used and the care they receive. For longer-lasting, more vibrant flowers, Wholesale Flowers and Supplies recommends the following:
Selecting Flowers:
- When selecting unarranged flowers from a Wholesaler, a Florist or a Farmer’s Market; look for flowers with upright, firm petals and buds just beginning to open. Yellowed, spotted or drooping leaves are signs of age.
- When using woody stems and branches (such as Forsythia, Flowering Quince, Pussy Willow or any other Blossoming Branch), cut the stem with sharp pruning shears in an x-shaped crosscut.
- You can also mash the stem with a hard object, the bottom will separate. Place them in warm water containing fresh flower food such as to promote flower opening.
For Fresh Cut Flowers:
- Keep flowers from heat sources and air drafts until you can get them into water with a nutrient source such as Aquaplus. Don’t forget how important it is to follow the mixing directions on the package.
- Fill a clean (washed with a detergent or antibacterial cleaning solution), deep vase with water and add a flower food (AquaPlus) from your florist.
- Re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a clean sharp knife or pruning shears. Place the flowers in the vase solution you’ve prepared.
- Remove leaves that will be below the waterline. Leaves in the water will promote bacterial growth that may limit water intake by the flower.
- Replace water entirely every 2 to 3 days or if the water becomes cloudy. If possible, re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife. Be sure to use a clean sharp knife or pruning shears that will not crush the delicate flower stems. Place the stems back into water immediately.
