How To Make Flower Arrangements Last

Everyone that receives flowers certainly receives a gift of love. For any occasion, flowers are always welcome, but if your flower arrangements come in a bunch then you have to rearrange them. Before you grab that container and fill it with flowers, there are a few things you should know to make them last as long as they possibly can.Starting with the vase, you have a certain few things to do before placing your flowers in it. Rinse out the vase with warm water, but also add a few drops of bleach to the water. This will clean the vase but will not hurt the flowers. Just make sure it is just a few drops. When you receive flowers, there is usually a package of plant food included but if you find there is not, a teaspoon of sugar will do just as well. Now you can start preparing your flowers.Remove any leaves that are sitting below the water line, but leave as many as you can above the water line. You will need this in the overall look of your flower arrangement. If your flowers are roses, try and leave the thorns. When you strip them off, in fact, what you are doing is injuring your flower and giving more opportunity for it to die. Cut about an inch of the bottom of the stem. This allows the water to flow to the plant freely.

You should try to do this while you have the flower submersed in water. If you cut it without the water, then the stem will draw in air, which stops the stems from drinking and will cause an early death.Each flower has it's own likes and dislikes, such as the Freesia. It doesn't take kindly to bleach, so in this case don't use it. Use distilled water instead. The tulip does much better with a penny in the bottom of the vase. With this the petals stay closed a little longer. Remember tulips can still keep growing long after they are cut - some as much as an inch a day.The main thing is to keep your flower arrangement for as long as you possibly can and they will keep you happy in return for every minute you have them.

By Ken Wilssens