Caring for Fresh Cut Flowers

Bringing fresh cut flowers into the home is one of the many pleasures of spring and summer time. Not only do the fresh flowers brighten the inside of the house and fill it with a wonderful aroma, cutting flowers encourages further blooming on the plant.

The best time to cut is in the morning. Flowers are perky after a night of cool air and a touch of morning dew. Their stems are the firmest at this time of day because they are filled with water. As the day progresses, they become dehydrated and limp. Carry a pail or bucket of lukewarm water and immediately place the freshly cut flowers into the water. (For bulb flowers such as tulips, use cold water.) The water prevents the stem from sealing up which would interfere with the fresh cut flower’s absorption ability.

Budding flowers with a cluster of buds on a single stem need to have at least one bud showing off its color and one beginning to open before the stem should be cut. If the stem is cut too early, the buds will fail to open in the vase. Single flowers on a single stem should be fully open before cutting.

Common household scissors should not be used for cutting flowers as they will crush the vascular system of the stem, denying the cut flower its fair share of water. Instead use a sharp knife, shears or clippers. Some people re-cut their flowers underwater in the bucket to prevent any air bubbles from entering the stem and possibly interfering with water absorption. Cut the stem at a 45 degree angle. This gives the stem a greater surface area for absorbing water.