The key to caring for cut flowers is to remember that they are still living and need to drink, breathe and eat.
If you've received flowers and you’re not at home keep them cool and give them a drink of water as soon as you can. Even if that means putting them in a sink or a bucket of water. It will keep them fresh until you can get them home. If you need to travel ensure the stems are wrapped in something like a wet paper towel. Cover this with a plastic bag so you don’t get drips everywhere.
Make sure the vase is clean before filling it with water. Scrub it with washing up liquid and warm water and rinse well. Fill the vase three-quarters full with slightly warm water. Add half of any flower food supplied with the flowers.
Take each flower and cut the stem 2 to 3 cm from the bottom. Cut at an angle to allow the flower to soak up more water. A sharp knife or scissors will cause less bruising allowing the flower to drink more freely. Experts make the cut while the end of the stem is below the water to avoid a bubble of air being trapped above the cut, but as long as the stems are in water very quickly after cutting they should be fine.
Remove all the leaves which would be submerged below the water level to reduce the build up of bacteria. Bacteria can block the stem causing the flowers to wilt.
Arrange the taller flowers at the back and the smaller ones at the front and
sides. Avoid cramming the flowers in into a small vase as the flowers need
air to breathe. Use two vases to give the flowers plenty of space if you
don't have a large enough single vase.
Most cut flowers like to be kept somewhere between 18 to 22°c, away from
direct light, heating or cooling vents. Avoid putting them near radiators or
air conditioners.
Remove any dead flowers with a clean cut and don’t let foliage fall below the water line.
Keep the water smelling fresh, replacing it every couple of days with fresh
water that is already near room temperature. Cut the stems as before roughly
2 to 3 cm from the bottom every time you replace the water.
If you don’t have any flower food left to add to the water you can add one tiny drop of bleach instead, this will guard against slime caused by bacteria in the water.
If you take good care of your cut flowers, a fresh bunch can last up to two weeks.
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