How to keep fresh flowers lasting? Underwater cutting, anti-corrosion, salt-coating, and transpiration reduction methods can all be used to preserve freshness. In addition, some common household items such as sugar, aspirin, detergent, etc. may also extend the shelf life of cut flowers.
Care of Fresh-cut Flower Arrangement
Commonly used methods for preservation of cut flowers:
Underwater Cutting
The end of the cut flower stem is immersed in water, and the stem is cut to 2~3cm under the water with scissors. The air content in the water is low. After such cutting, there is no air in the gap in the stem. Thus it will not produce air bubbles, which blocks water intake, at the stem end.
Antiseptic
For fresh cut flowers, it's important to keep the water clean. If you find that the water is turbid or smelly, change the water and clean the container immediately. Leaves of cut flowers soaked in water is also the cause of water quality damage, so maintain an appropriate amount of water. It is necessary to set aside the contact area between the stem and the air in the container. Allow air exchange between the inside of the container and the outside, and prevent anaerobic bacteria from causing changes in water quality.
Salt coating
Apply salt to the cuts of the fresh cut flowers first, and then put them in the water. This method also has a bactericidal effect and can also be applied to all cut flowers.
Reduce transpiration
Plants evaporate rapidly at high temperatures, so cut flowers should be placed in a position to avoid direct sunlight and wind vents. In order to ensure that the cut flowers can have enough water, the water absorption function of the cut flowers should be increased, such as increasing the area of the plant's cutting mouth, raising the plant water in a sufficient amount of water, etc., to maintain the balance of water loss and water absorption. Where conditions permit, cut flowers can be placed in a lower temperature environment in the hot season.
Some common household items can also be used to extend the viewing time of cut flowers, such as white sugar, which can provide energy for cut flowers and keep the flowers bright: aspirin, detergent, etc. can maintain clean water and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the water. Or you can buy fresh flower preservatives for blending to preserve the freshness of cut flowers.
Maintenance of flower arrangement
After the flower arrangement is completed, maintenance and management are crucial. Timely management and proper measures can keep the flower arrangement fresh and clean and beautiful, and greatly extend the appreciation period.
Flower arranging works should not be exposed to the sun and wind, nor placed near soot and heating, otherwise the hot and dry air will accelerate the respiration and transpiration of the flower branches, consume too much stored nutrients and lose water, which will cause the flowers to wither and die early. The flower arrangement is placed at the air vent, which is not only dry, but also blows down or messes up the shape of the flower arrangement.
At the same time, the flower arrangement should not be placed near the ripe fruit, so as to prevent the ethylene released by the fruit from accelerating the senescence of the flower arrangement. Therefore, it is best to place flower arrangements under diffused light, in a cool and humid place, to minimize the presence of harmful gases.
