Giving flowers as gifts is always popular, but most flowers will wither quickly. After a few days, these flowers will lose their bright beauty. To improve this, you can use the following tips to extend the flowering period, keep the flowers fresh, and extend the life of cut flowers.

1. Place the flowers in a clean container

The containers used to preserve cut flowers must of course be clean. In order to prevent the stems of the flowers from being squeezed too much, or to reduce the risk of infection by bacteria and other microorganisms, try to choose bottles with wide mouths rather than narrow mouths for the sake of aesthetics.

2. Place the flowers in warm water

Of course, it does not need to be put in boiling water. The water temperature just needs to reach about 43 degrees. Pour the water into a vase with flowers and place it in a cool place for 1 to 2 hours. This way, the warm water molecules move quickly under the stems, and because the air is cool, the flowers lose very little water. This method, called hardening, helps extend the life of cut flowers.

Of course, not all flowers are suitable for this method. Hydrangeas, for example, like to be soaked in cold water, which can also extend the life of cut flowers.

3. Remove the leaves

If you want to keep cut flowers fresh for longer, you can remove excess leaves. The leaves must not be soaked in water, otherwise they will easily rot. Picking off the leaves can reduce nutrient loss and avoid pathogens.

4. Change the water

To keep your flowers fresh, change the water every day. Before adding fresh water, remember to remove all debris from the container to reduce the risk of infection. You can also add half an aspirin tablet to the vase filled with water to help keep the water clean and prevent pollen from damaging the cut flowers.

5. Keep cutting the stems

Don't forget to cut off both ends of the stems regularly. Use a sharp knife to trim the stems at a 45-degree angle. This simple action can increase the flower's absorption capacity. Regular water changes and regular stem cutting will have a better effect.

Rose stems should be cut underwater because they are very sensitive and easily infected by air bubbles and bacteria.

6. Use fresh-keeping solution

A homemade preserving solution is a mixture of soda and bleach. To make this, you simply add a carbonated drink containing sugar and acid to the water.

Using one part baking soda to three parts water and adding a few drops of bleach (not more!) will kill harmful microorganisms. In fact, this preserving solution is more effective than some commercial floral preservatives.

7. Keep away from direct sunlight, heaters and fruits

Flowers should be placed in a place without direct sunlight and heat sources, otherwise they will wither quickly. Also avoid placing them next to fruits, as fruits easily emit ethylene, a gas that can cause flowers to wither quickly.

8. Remove withered flowers as soon as possible

If you see wilted flowers in the vase, clean them up as soon as possible. Not only will the fruits release ethylene gas, but the wilted flowers will also, easily damaging the healthy flowers.

Tip: If your flower starts to fade, soak it in warm water for a few minutes to help restore its color one last time.