Changing the water for freshly cut flowers makes them last longer: discover all the useful tips you can use
A vase of freshly cut flowers at home is always a beautiful thing to behold. Inevitably, however, each cut flower is destined to wither and die - and this usually happens in just a few days. But by following the right tips, you can make your cut flowers last longer. Keep reading...
Change the water often
Changing the water in vases is the first step to making your cut flowers last longer. But how often is “often”? Well, experts say the "rule" is to change the water every two days.
To do this, delicately remove the flowers, put them aside and clean out the vase. Spray the inside of the vase with a detergent containing bleach, or a DIY detergent that has a little vinegar, and wipe out the vase's internal surfaces.
Then, using a sharp and sterilized blade, cut off the lower tips of the flower stems: the cut must always be made obliquely, and this will help ensure that the stem is "opened" again to draw up water efficiently.
Never let the water in a vase become opaque: the more murky the water becomes, the more damaging it becomes for your flowers (as bacteria will proliferate in stagnating water).
Other useful tips
There are some traditional remedies that are often used to make cut flowers last longer:
- Bleach: adding a teaspoon of bleach to the water in the vase helps prevent the development of bacteria and other organisms that can accelerate the deterioration of fresh flowers. Alternatively, use a little vinegar.
- Sugar: adding a small amount of sugar to the water provides much-needed nutrients to the flowers. The best way to add sugar is to dissolve it in a little hot water first, then wait for it to cool before adding the solution to the vase.
Other useful tips are:
- Remove the leaves at the bottom of the stalks before putting the flowers in their vases: leaves submerged in the water will accelerate the transmission of bacteria to the water.
- Keep vases away from direct sunlight or other heat sources (which will also accelerate wilting).
- Make the oblique cuts to the flower stems before placing them in vases for the first time.
- Remove wilted flowers immediately.
Following these tips, your freshly cut flowers will last for much longer!
