How to Extend the Lives of Cut Flowers
- 1). Open up the bouquet and inspect all flowers. If any are dead or seriously wilted, throw them away. If some flowers look mostly good but have a few bad petals or leaves, pick the bad parts off.
- 2). Fill a bowl with water. If the water feels warm or cold, allow it to come to room temperature before proceeding.
- 3). Take each flower and submerge the cut end in the bowl of water. While the stem is submerged, make another cut using a pair of scissors. Cut the stem at an angle, cutting at least a half inch from the bottom but below the water line.
- 4). Prepare the vase by filling it with one quart of water. Allow the water to come to room temperature.
- 5). Add 2 tablespoons of white sugar and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to the vase. Stir until the solution is thoroughly mixed.
- 6). Arrange the flowers in the vase. Put the vase in a cool area that receives lots of indirect sunlight.
- 7). Change the water and remix the vinegar and sugar solution every day for the best results. However, the flowers will still live longer if you change the solution only every three days.