Household tips: Cut flowers last longer

Flowers are the most beautiful decoration in a room. It is wonderful to be able to go into the garden and put together a beautiful bouquet. But here are a few tips on when flowers should best be cut and how to make them last longer in the vase:

The best time to cut flowers

When cutting flowers from the garden, always choose the fully bloomed flowers to cut in the morning. Always cut flowers in the bud in the evening. Never cut flowers for the vase in the rain; unfortunately, they wilt faster.

How to make cut flowers last longer

Nothing is nicer than fresh flowers on the table. But room decorations often don't last very long. It's a shame when the flowers let their heads hang after just a few days. However, with a few tips, you can extend the lifespan of cut flowers.

Trim flower stems regularly

The flower stems should be trimmed regularly and also cleaned. If the greenery remains in the water, it leads to rotting, the water begins to stink, and the flowers don't like that either. Therefore, remove the lower leaves for durability and every daytrim the flower ends by approx. 1 cm.The rule here is: soft stems are cut straight, while hard ones are cut at an angle. Always cut the ends with a knife, not with scissors.

Extra tip:After trimming sunflower stems, briefly dip them in hot water before placing them in the vase; this makes them last longer.

Suitable and clean vase

A good vase is also good for the flowers. A dirty flower container not only looks unsightly, but the flowers are also sensitive to it. Why? Bacteria and dirt are harmful to flowers, so you should clean the vases thoroughly after each use. Not just clear water, but also dish soap and a brush to tackle stubborn dirt.

Optimal water temperature

Also pay attention tothe optimal water temperature.Flowers do not like icy water. A body temperature of35° Celsiusis just right.

The right location

The right location is also crucial for a long flower life. The bouquet should stand neither in direct sunlight nor in a draft.A place that is not too warm and is semi-shaded is just right.In summer, it should be a very cool place, perhaps even put in the cellar overnight. In summer, spray the flowers with a little water, then the flowers won't let their heads hang so quickly.

Get used to temperature changes slowly

If the bouquet comes directly from the cold into the heated living room, you should not unpack the flowers immediately, but gradually get the bouquet used to thetemperature change.It is best to leave the cut flowers in the packaging forhalf an hourbefore you remove the foil.

Nutrient solution for cut flowers

You always get a nutrient solution with the bouquet from a good florist. You shouldn't throw this away carelessly, but add it to the flower water. This solution not only lets flowers thrive longer and more beautifully, it also inhibits the formation of bacteria and fungi in the water. Do not change the water here, just keep topping it up.

Sugar for the flower water

Did the florist forget the nutrient solution when packing? No problem –a pinch of sugarcan often help too. However, you shouldn't overdo it with the sugar, otherwise you will achieve the opposite and the flowers will die.

Aspirin for recovery

If the flowers are no longer quite as fresh, add an aspirin tablet to the flower water; this helps the flowers recover.

Copper cent coin

What about themyth of the cent coin?The coin is known to be made of copper. The copper-water mixture prevents rot and is a real insider tip.

Charcoal against smelly flower water

To avoid smelly flower water, add a piece of charcoal; this prevents the bad smell.

No fruit bowls nearby

Even if it looks nice, a fruit bowl should not be too close to the flowers. During thefermentation process of the fruit, ethylene is often produced,which is not beneficial to the flowers

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