From time to time I’m asked if there are special techniques for extending the life of cut flowers. Whether cut from your own garden or purchased from a florist, you can make flowers last longer in the vase if you follow a few simple guidelines.

The first step is to use a clean vase. Wash the vase with hot soapy water, then rinse thoroughly to eliminate bacteria and fungi. The next important step is to prepare the flowers properly. Cut just-opening flowers early in the morning and place them in water immediately. You can extend the vase life of flowers that ooze a milky “sap”, like poinsettias or poppies, by immersing the bottom 2 inches of their stems in boiling water for 10 seconds before using them in an arrangement. Be sure to gently remove lower leaves from the stem so there will be none in the vase water.

If you purchase cut flowers, recut the stems before you put the flowers in a vase. Do this by removing 1 to 2 inches of the stem at an angle under water. You can recut the stems in a basin of water, or even under running tap water. Crushing or burning the flower stems are practices that do not extend the life of cut flowers.

Another important step is to provide good water. In most cases, cut flowers in arrangements collapse early because they are not able to absorb enough water to keep them looking crisp and fresh. Recutting the stems under water is important because it prevents air from getting into the stems. It’s also a good idea to use hot (100§F) water in the vase. Never use softened water in a vase, as it contains sodium, which is bad for cut flowers. Hard water (which leaves white deposits in teakettles and on faucets) is likewise bad for cut flowers. In such cases you may want to use demineralized water, which you can purchase at a supermarket.

Flowers are living things, and as such they need nourishment for proper growth and healthy color. Amazingly, you can provide much of what cut flowers need with some simple vase solutions that you can prepare at home, or if you prefer, commercial preservatives that you can purchase. These preservatives contain acid to improve the water flow in flower stems, sugar to help buds open and last longer, and a preservative to reduce the growth of bacteria and fungi. One simple vase solution is made by mixing one part of any of the common lemon-lime sodas with three parts of water. Add 1/4 teaspoon of household bleach per quart to keep the solution clear. Do not use diet drinks or colas, because diet drinks have no sugar and the colas contain too much acid for flowers. Another vase solution can be made by mixing 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or bottled “Real Lemon”, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of bleach in a quart of warm water. Add another 1/4 teaspoon of bleach to the vase water every 4 days.

You can also use a commercial flower preservative, available from florist shops, retail nurseries and garden stores. These products are inexpensive and very convenient to use - simply follow the instructions on the packet. It’s not a good idea to use aspirin or vinegar in vase solutions, as these materials are rarely effective in increasing the vase life of flowers.

Another point to remember is that the higher the temperature, the faster the flowers will deteriorate. Therefore, you should cut them early in the morning, when temperatures are cool, and avoid exposing them to heat. Don’t place flowers in a sunny location, near a heater or fireplace, or on top of the television set. If you can, put your flowers in a cool place overnight.