- Brass pots are better than china or glass as brass acts as a fungicide.
- Wash your vase thoroughly before use to get rid of bacteria, which can block flower stems and prevent water being taken up. Put them in water as soon as you get home.
- Cut the ends off flowers and dip into boiling water to make them last longer.
- Cut stems at an angle (giving a wider surface for water to travel up the stem) with a clean pair of sharp scissors.
- Woody stems - do not hammer. Cut stems at an angle with a sharp knife.
- The vase should be two-thirds the height of the arrangement, so cut stems accordingly.
- Remove any leaves beneath the water line. As these decay they will prevent water travelling up the stem.
- Avoid putting your flowers in direct sunlight, or near a radiator or air-conditioning vent.
- Keep away from fruit - the gases they give off will wilt your blooms faster.
- Recut stems and change water every two days for the longest lasting arrangement.
- Add sugar or lemonade to the water if no food crystals came with the flowers.
- Aspirins will keep leafy flowers fresh, but not those without leaves.
- Bleach - one teaspoon per vase - stops blooms giving off ethylene gas.
Alstromeria: They start flowering in June and tend to be still flowering in October. Stake all the taller forms to stop them collapsing in the wind. Pick regularly to get successional waves of flowers.
Daffodil: Their stems excrete a sticky substance which speeds up the decay process. So cut the stem at a very sharp angle 2 inches below the end, then pass it through the fire or leave it for a while in warm water, for the substance to be eliminated. You can use a combination of vinegar and salt to clean the daffodil’s vase.
Larkspur: The annual delphinium. The stems are really thick so they last for a long time as they can hold more water. Take out the main stem and you will get several flowering stems.
Peonies: Wait for three years before picking flowers. Pick at the 'marshmallow' stage, when the coloured buds are soft to the touch. That way you know they will open properly and have a good 10 days life in the vase.
Roses: gently removing the outer 'guard' petals from roses will allow them to open more fully. Place your index finger on the inside of a petal, press down softly and peel it away from the flower.
Sweet Peas: when picked may have lots of little black flies on them. So pick one day, leave overnight in a dark/shady place with door or window open. The flies will seek the light and will be gone the next morning.
Tulips: Stick pin through stem to prevent airlock; this helps them take up water for longer.
Other Tips
- Use a potato as the base for a kissing ring.
Various sources.
